Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-10-18

| Ientlons at once, and to promptly decline
the profered gift. Undismayed by this.
still the Counte continued his profuse pa
tronsge in way which Miralda could Gud
no plausible pretext of complaint.
At last, seizing upon what he consid-
cred favorable moment, Counte Almonte
declared his passion to Miralda. besou .ht
her to come and be the mistress Of his
broad and rich estates at Cerito, near the
city, and offered all the promises of wealth
favor and fortune; but in vain. The pure:
minded girl scorned his offer and bade him
never more to insult her by visiting her
shop. Abashed but not confounded, the
Counte retired, but only to weave new
snare whereby he could entangle 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, a
file of soldiers halted just opposite the lit
lie cigar shop, when young man. wear
ing Lieutenant's insignia. entered and
asked the attendant if her name was Mi
ralda Estalez, to which she timidy res
pended.
"Then you will please to come with
me-"
"By what authority ?" asked the trem-
bling girl.
1.-The order of the Governor General"
"Then | must obey you," she answer
ed, and prepared to follow him at once.
Stepping to the door with her, the young
officer directed his men to march on, and
getting into volante, told Miralda they
would drive to the guard house. But to
the surprise Of the girl, she soon discover
ed that they were rapidly passing the city
gates, and Immediately were dashing off
on the road to Cerito. Then it was hat
she began to fear that some trick had been
played upon her, and these fears were soon
confirmed by the volante's turning down
the long alley Of palms that led to the es-
tate of Couute AImonte. II was in vain
to exPostWlate now; she felt that she was
in the power of the reckless nobleman.
and the pretended officer and soldiers
where his own people who had adopted
the disguise Of the Spanish army uniform.
Counts Almonte met her at the door,
told her TO fear no violence, that her wish
es should be respected in all things save
her personal lihsrLy: that he truStah. in
time. to persuade her to look more favor
ably upon hini, and that in all things he
was her slave. She replied contemptu-
ously to his words, and charged him with
the cowardIy trick by which he had gain
ed control of her liberty. But she was
left by herself, though watched by his or
ders at al! times to prevent her escape.
She knew very we'll that the power and
will of COunte Almonte were too strong
for any humble friend Of hers to attempt
to thWart; and yet she somehow felt a
conscious strength in Pedro, and secretly
cherished the idea that he would discover
her place Of confinement, and adopt some
means to deliver her. The stietto is the
constant companion Of the lower classes,
and Miralda had been used to wear one
even in her store, against but
she now regarded the tiny weapon with
peculiar satisfaction, and slept with it in
her bosom.
Small was the clue by which Pedro
Mautenez discovered the trick OF Counte
Almonte. First this Was out, then that
circumstance, and these being put togeth-
or, they led to other results, until the in
defatigable lover was At last satisfied that
he had discovered her place of con6ne.
ment. Disguised as a friar of the order
OF San Felipe, he sought Counte Almonte's
gates at a favorable moment, met Miralda,
cheered her with fresh hopes, and retired
to arrange some plan for her delivery
There was time to think now; heretofore
he had not permitted himself even an
hours sleep; but she was safe-that is,
not in immediate danger-and he could
breathe more freely. He knew not with
whom to advise; he feared to speak to
those above him in society, lest the y might
betray his purpose to the Counte, and his
own liberty, by some means, be thus jeop-
ardized. He could only consider with
himself-he must be his own counsellor
in this critical case.
At last, as if in despair, he started to
his feet one day, and exclaimed to him
self-"Why not go to headquarters at
once? Why not see the Governor Gen
eral, and tell him the whole truth? An
see him? How is that to be effected I?
And then this Counte Almonte is noble
man! They say Tacon loves Justice
We shall see. will go to the Governor
General; it cannot do any harm, if it does
not do any good. l can but try" And
Pedro did seek the Governor. True, he
did not at once get audience to him-not
the first, nor the third time; but he per-
severed, and was admitted at last Here
he told his story in free, manly voice,
undisguised and open in all things, so that
Tacon was pleased.
"And the girl?' asked the Governor
General. over whose countenance a dark
scoWl had gathered, els she thy sister ?''
"No, Excelencia, she is dearer still; she
! is my betrothed."
The Governor bidding him come near
er, took a golden cross from his table. and
handing il 10 the boatman. as he REGARDED
him searchingly. said:
Swear that what YOU have related to
me is true, as you hope for heaven ~