Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-08-26
A cITBAN. STORY


or cigar. Miralda only seventeen, without moth
err or father living and earned humble though SUI
fcient support by her industry in the mandatory
have named and by the sales of her little store
She was picture ofrpened tropical beauty, with
finely rounded FORM lovely face of soft, olive tint
and teeth that Tuscarora might envy her. "A
times there dash of anguor in her dreamy
eye that would have warmed an anchorite; and ther
her cheerful ests delicate yet Free that she
had unwittingy turned the heads not to say hearts
of half the young merchants in the Gale de Merca
dares But she dispensed her favors without par
TALLY; none of the rich and gay eXquises of Ha-
vana could say they had ever received any partIcu
lar acknowledgment from the fair young girl to their
warm and constant attention For this one she had
pleasant SMILE for another few words of pleasing
gossip, and for third a snatch OF Spanish song
but to none did she give her confidence, except to
Young Pedro Mantanez a tine-looking boatman, who
piled between the Punta and Moro Castle, on the OPP
posite side of the harbor.
; Pedro was manly and courageous young fellow,
rather above his class in intelligence, appearance
and associations, and pulled his with strong
arm and light heart and loved the beautiful Mlrada
with ardor romantic in its fidelity and truth He
was q sort of leader among the boatmen in the hir-
Dor for of his superior cultivation and lnte-
gence and his quick sagacty often turned
for the benefit of his comrades. Many were the no.
BILE deeds he had done in and about the harbor since
q boy for he had followed his calling of a waterman
from boyhood, as his fathers had done before him.
Miralda in turn ardently loved Pedro, and when he
came at night and sat in the back part OF her little
shop, she had always neat and fragrant cigar for
his lips Now and then, when she could steal away
from her shop some holiday, Pedro would hoist
tiny sail in the PROV of his boat and securing the
little stern awning Mraldas head, would steer
out into the gulf and coast along the romantic
shore.
There was famous roue, well known at this time
in Havana, named Count Almonte, who had frequent
ly visited Miraldas shop and conceived quite pas
sion for the girl, and, indeed he had grown to be
one of her most liberal customers With a cunning
shrewdness and knowledge of human nature, the
Count beseged the heart of his intended victim with
out appearing to do and carried on his plan OF OPP
erations for many weeks before the innocent girl
even suspected his possessing Partially for her,
til day she surprised by present from him
of so rare and costly nature to lead her to ssus
pect the donors intentions once and to promptly
decline the offered gift. Undismayed by this, still
the Count continued his profuse patronage in way
to which Miralda could find plausible preteNt OF
complaint.
At last Selling upon what he considered favora-
BILE moment Count Almonte declared his passion to
Miralda, besought her to come and be the mistress
of his broad and rich estate at Certo near the city,
and offered all the promises of wealth. favor and for
tune; but in vain. The purc-minded girl scorned
his offer, and babe him more to insult her by
visiting her shop Abashed, but not conounded, the
Count retired, but only to weave a snare where
by he could entangle her, for he was not one to be
easily thwarted
One afternoon, not long after this as the twilight
settling over the town. file of soldiers halted
young man, wearing lieutenants insignia, entered
and asked the attendant if her name Miralda
Estalez, to which she timidly responded
'Then you will please to come with me-"
"By what authority b." replied the trembling
girl.
"The order of the Governor General"
''Then must obey you" she answered, and pre-
pared to follow him at once.
Stepping to the door with her, the young officer
directed his men to march on, and getting into
lante, told Miralda they would drive to the guard
house. But to the surprise Of the girl she soon af
ter discovered that they were rapidly passing the
city gates and Immediately after were dashing off on
the road to Cerito. Then it that she begun to
fear trick had been played upon her, and these
fears were soon confirmed by the volante turning
down the long alley of palms that led to the estate
of Count Amonte 1t was in vain to expostulate
now she felt that she in the power of the reck
less nobleman and the pretended 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 Violence that her wishes should be respected
in all things her personal liberty that he trust
ed in time, to persuade her to look faveraby
upon him, and that in all things he her slave
She replied contemptuously to his words, and charg-
ed him with the cowardly trick bY-Which he had |
gained control of her liberty. But she left by |
herself though watched by his orders at all times |
to prevent her escape.
She knew very well that the power and will Of
Count Almonte too strong for any humble |
friend of hers to attempt to thwart; and yet she |
somehow felt conscious strength iii Pedro, and Sc
crety cherished the idea that he would discover her
place of confinement and adopt some means to de- |
liver her. The stiletto is the constant companion of
the lower classes and Miralda had been used to
wear one even in her store against contingency but
she now regarded the tiny weapon with peculiar sat-
isfaction, and slept with it in her bosom!
Small was the clue by which Pedro Mantanez dis
covered the trick of Count Almonte. First this
found out, then that circumstance and these being
put together, they led to other results until the in
defatigable lover at last fully satisfied that he
had discovered her place of confinement. Disguised
frar of the order of San Felipe he sought Count
Almonte's gates at favorable moment, met Mralda,
cheered her with fresh hopes, and retired to arrange
some certain plan for her delivery. There WAS time
to think n0o heretofore he had not permitted him
self even an hours sleep; but she safe-thats,
not in immediate danger,-and he could breathe
more freely. He knew not with whom to advise he
feared to speak with those above him in society," lest
they might betray his purpose to the count and his
own liberty, by some means be thus jeopardized.
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 himself, "Why not go to the
headquarters at once? why not see the Governor
General, and tell him the whole truth? All! see
him2 How is that to be effected? And then this
Counte Almonte is a noblemanl They say Tacon
loves justice We shall see. l will go to the Gov
ernor 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 audi
ence of him-not the first, the second nor third
time but he persevered and wa admitted at last
Here he told his story in free, manly voice. undis,
guisedly and open in all things so that Tacon was
pleased.
SAnd the cir? ?" asked the Governor-Genprol ozor |