Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-09-15

] iNptf wv tun NObhe1
girl TO their warm and constant al
ien,ion. For this one she had n
pleasant smile, for another n few
words Of pleasing gossip. and for a
third snatch of a Spanish song ; but
TO no one did she give confidence,
except to young Pedro Mantancz, a
fine looking boatnan who piled be-
tween the Punto aud Moro Castle,
on the opposite side Of the harbor.
Pedro was manly and courage
Gus young fellow, rather above his
class in intelligence, appearance and
associations, and pulled his oars with
strong arm and light heart, aud
loved the beautiful Miralda with an
ardor romantic in lis fidelity and
truth. He was sort of leader
among the boatmen of the harbor
for reason of his superior cultivation
and intelligence, and his quick viii
ted sagacily was often turned for the
benefit of his comrades. Many were
the noble deeds he had done in aud
about the harbor since boy. for he
had followed his calling of waterman
from boyhood, as his fathers had
done before him. Mralda ia turn
ardenlly loved Pedro and when he
came at night aud sat ia the back
part Of her little shop, she had always
a neat and fragrant cigar for his lips
Now and then, when she could steal
away from her shop on some holi-
day, Pedro would hoist tiny sad IN
the PROV of his boat, securing
the little stern awning over Miral-
da's head, and steer out into the
gulf aud coast along the romantic
shore.
There was famous rouc, well
known at this time IN Havaua, nam
cd Count Almonte, who had IRE
quently visited Mifalda's shop, and
conceived quite a passion for tho
girl, and, indeed, he had grown TO
he one OF her most liberal customers.
With cunning shrewducss and
knowledge of human nalme, the
Count beslcged the heart ul his in
tended victim without appearing to
do so, and carried on his plan of
operations Tor many weeks before
the innocent girl even suspected his
possessing a parliality ior her, until
one day she was surprised by
present from him of SD rare and
costly a nature as led her to suspect
the donors intentions at once, and
To promptly decline The offered gift.
Undismaled 10y this, sill the Count
continued his proiuse patronage 10
way to which MlraIda could find no
plausible pretext Of complaint.
Al last, seizing what he considered
to be fa'urahle moment, Cor"t A.
monte declared his passion Tor
Mnalda, and besought her II come
and be the mistress OF his broad and
rich estates at Cerilo, near the city.
and offered all the promises Of
wealth, favor and fortune out in
vain. The pure minded girl scorn-
ed his offer, aud babe him never
more to insult her by visiting her
shop. Abashed but not coufornd-
ed, the Count retired, but only 10
weave new snare whereby he could
enlangle her, for he was not one to
be so easily thwarted.
One afternoon, not long after this,
as the twilight was settling over the
town, file of soldiers halted Just OPP
poSite the door of the little cigar
shop, when young man, wearing
lculenanis inslgnia. entered and
asked the attendant If her name was
Miralda Esialez, 10 which she limld-
ly responded.
"rhen YOU will please come with
me"
BY what authority" asked the
trembling gd.
The order oil the Goyernor-Gen-
eral."
Then | must obey you" she
answered, and prepared to follow
him at once.
Stepping to the door with her,
the young officer directed his men
to march on aud getting in vo-
laLte, told Mralda they would drive
To the guard house. But, to the
surprise of the girl, she soon discov-
cred that they were rapidly passing
the city gates, and Immediately after
were dashing off on the road to Ce-
rIto. Then II was that she began TO
fear some trick had been played up
on hoi and those fears woro coon
confirmed by the yolan,e's turning
down the long alley of palms that
led 10 the estate of Count Almonle.
1t was IN vain 10 exposiuiate now ;
she ielt that she was in the power Of
the reckless nobleman, and the pre-
tended officers and soldiers were his
own people, who had adopted the
disguise of the Spanish army uni
form.
Count Almonie met her at the
door, told her 10 fear no violence,
that her wishes should be respected
in all things, save her personal liber-
ty that he trusted, in time, to per-
suade her TO look more favorably up
on him, and that in all things he
was her slave. She replied con-
temptously TO his words, and charged
him with the cowardly trick by
which he had gained control of her
liberty. But she was lett by herself,
though watched by his orders at all