Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-08-31

gates, and Immediately after we're dashing
| of on the road 70 Cerito Then il vas that
she began to fear some trick had been play
ed upon her, and these fears we're soon con-
frmed BY the Folante farming Down the long
alley Of palms that led to the estate Of Count
Almonte. It was vain TO expostnlats now
she felt that she was in the power Of the
reckless pohleman, and the pretended officer
and soldiers were bis own people. who had
! adopted the disguise Of the Spanish army u.
inform.
Count Almonte met her at tie door, told
her to fear no viOleRce, that her wishes should
be respected ia all things, save her personal
liberty that be trusted, in time, to persuade
her to look more favorahly upon him, and
that ID all thisgs he was her slave. She
replied contemptuously to his words, and
charged him with the eeWardly trick By
! which n -ixd gained coutfOl Of her liberty
But she was left BY herself, though watched
! BY his orders at all times to prevent her es-
cape
She ksew very vell that the power and
will Of Count Almonte were too strong for
any humble friend Of hers to attempt to
thwart; and yet she somehow felt conscious
strength id Pedro. and secretly cherished
1 the idea that he would discover her place Of
confinement. and adopt some means TO de-
liver her. The stiletto is the constant CON-
panioH of the lower classes, and Miralda had
been used to wear one even in her store a.
gainst contingency; but she new regarded
the tiny weapon With peculiar satisfaction,
and slept with It ID her bosom
Small was the clue By which Pedro Man
tancz discovered the trick Of Count AL
monte. First this was found out then that
circumstance, and these, being put together,
they led to other results until the indefeti
\ gable loyersEas at last fully satisfied that be
had discovered her place Of confinement
| Disguised Is friar of the order Of San Fe-
lipe, be sought Count Almohte,s gates at
favorable moment, net Miralda, cheered her
with fresh hopes, and retired to arrange some
|, kertain plan for her delivery, There was
!. tme TO Thank nor heretofore he had not
!. Permitted himself even an hours sleep but
Z be was safe,-that is, not in immediate
knger,- and be con!d breathe more freely.
; Y knew not With whom to advise; he fear
4 Ato speak 10 those above him in society,
Q II they might betray his purpose to the
D e@nt, and his own liberty, by some means,
] bahus ie1pardized lie could osly eonsid
Z err 18th himself be must be his own couu-
self in this critical case.
N. j last, as If in despair, be started to bis
feeAone day, and exclaimed to himself,
sWA not 60 to headquarters at once why
! not le the Govemer-General. and tell him
the Mole truth All see him How is
that | be effected And then this Count
Alnolte is nobleman! They say Tacon
{ loYes kstice,. We shall sec. L will 20 to
third time BUT ee-pi.-ssss..=-46ds ana hassau'
mitted atlast. Here be told his story IN a
free, manly voice, undisguisedlY, and open
10 all things, so that Tacen was pleased
And the girl2 asked the Governor Gen
eral over whose couutenanee q dark scowl
had gathered, IS she thy sister,
No. Excelencia, she is dearer still she
is my betrothed
The Governor, bidding him come nearer
took golden cross from his table, and hand
,, ing it to to the boatman, as he regarded
him searehingly, said
Swear that what you have related to m
, is true, as you hope for heaven 7
/ swear, said Pedro, kneeling end kiss
! ing the emblem with simple reverence
The Governor turned to his table, wrote
! few brief lines, and, touching bell, sum
moned page from an adjoining room
! whom he ordered to send the captain Of th
, gard to him Prompt as were all who ha
!. any connection with the Goyerners house
! hold, the officer appeared at once, and n
! ceived the written order, with directions
. bring Count Almonte and young gil
{ named Miralda immediately before him.
i Pedro was sent TO an ante-room and the bI
!, siuess of the day passed on as usual in til
4 reception hall OF the Governor.
Less than two hours had transpired Ehe
4 the Count and Miralda stood before Taco
) Neither knew the nature Of the businel
: which had summoned them there Almon
/. half suspected the truth, and the poor 81
= argued Of herself that Der fate could not b.
y be improved by the inter-erence, lets its
ture be what it might.
4 Csnst Almoate. you doubtless know vi
: I have ordered you 10 appear here"
- Excelencia, fear that have been i
i Discreet was the reply.
- You adopted the aniform Of the guar
70 for yeur own private purposes upon U
s. yoang girl, did you not 2
:. EkesIencia, cannot deny It.
|, Declare upon your hoRer, Cont Z
Z, monte whether she is unharmed, whom J
On have thus kept prisoner.
8 .Excelencia, size is as pure as when
81, 81 entered beneath my root was the truth
a. reply.
The Goyerncr turned and whispered son
~ thing 10 his page, then continued his "a
Z, tionsato the Count, while be made some m
- utes upon paper Pedro was now snmm'
4. ed "a explain some matter. and as ne
terad thA Governor General turned his bs