Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1854-10-05

ne was not one TO De so easily thWar'
ed.
One afternoon, not long after thi:
J as the twilight was setting over tn
town, file of soldiers halted jus
opposite the door of the little ciga
shop, when a young man, wearing
ss. js9tsaaset's iSsig9i?; =; EN- ente tersd an
NIiralda Estalez, to which she timid
ly responded.
Then you will please to come witl
me-
BY what authority?' asked the
trembling girl.
The order of the Governor Gen,
eraI.'
Then | must obey you,' and she
prepared to follow him at once.
Stepping to the door with her, the
young officer directed his men to
march on, and getting into rolante,
told Miralda they would dive to the
guard-house. But, to the surprise
of the girl, she soon after discovered
that they we're rapidly passing the
city gates,and Immediately after wer
dashing off on the road to Cerito.
Then it was that she began to fear
some trick had been played upon
her, and these fears were soon con-
firmed by the volante turning down
the long alley of palms that led to
tho estate of Count Almonte. 1t
was in vain to expostulate now; she
felt that she was in the power of the
reckless nobleman, and the Pretend
ed officer and soldiers were his own
people, who had adopted the disguise
of the Spanish army uniform.
Count Almonte met her at the
door, told her to fear no violence,
that her wishes should be respected
In all things, save hor porSonaI Thor
ty; that he trusted, in time, to per-
suade her to look more favorably
upon him, and that in all things he
was her slave. She replied con-
Iemptuously to his words, and
charged him with the cowardly trick |
by which he had gained control of
her liberty. But she was left by
herself, though watched by his or
lers at all times to prevent her es-
ape.
She knew very well that the power
md will of the Count Almonte, were
90 strong for any humble friend of
lers to attempt to thwart, and yet
he somehow felt "a conscious strength
n Pedro, and secretly cherished the
1ea that he would discover her place
f confinement, and adopt some
ieans to deliver her. The stiletto
) the constant companion of the
over classes, and AIiralda had been
sed to wear enc even in her store,
gainst contingency: but she now re-
arded the tiny weapon with pecu-#
ar satisfaction, and slept with it in
or bosom.
Small was the clue by which Pc (
70 Mantanez discovered the trick !
Count Almonte. First she was
,und out, and then that circum-
tance, and these, being put togeth- |
r, they led to other results, until
he indefatigable lover was at last S
lily satisfied that be had discovered '
er place ofconlinement. Disguised [
5 d friar of the order OF SaE Felipe, /
e sought Count Almonte's gates, |
favorable moment, met Miralda, +
heered her with fresh hopes, and re- I
red to arrange some certain plan a
If her delivery. There was time to +
link now; heretofore he had not
ermitted himself even an hours '
eep; but she was safe-that is, not Z
immediate danger-and he could i
reathe more freely. He knew not
ith whom to advise, he feared to Il
,eak to those above him in society,
st they might betray his purpose t
the Count, and his own liberty, by
me means be thus jeopardized.-
e could only consider with himself,
J. must be his own counsellor in this e
itical case. !
At last, as if in despair, Ire started t
his feet one day, and exclaimed d
why not go to headquarters at Il
ice? why not see the Governor t
eneral, and tell him the truth?-- lp
b, see him! How is that to be ef- a
cted? And then this Count AL f{
onte is nobleman. They say f(
Y that Tacon loves justice. We g
all see; I will 60 to the Governor n
eneral; it cannot do any harm, if t