The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-10-25

Count Almonte, you doubtless
know why have ordered you to ap-
pear here"
Excclencia, fear tha, have been
indiscrect," was the reply.
You adopted the uniform Of the
guards for your own private purpose
upon the girl, did you not!"
Excellcncia, | cannot deny it,"
Declare upon your honor, Count
Almontc, whether she is unharmcd,
whom you have thus kcptu prisoner"
Excelleneia, she is as pure rs
when she entered beneath my roof"
was the truthful reply.
The Governor turned, and whisper
ed something TO his page, then contin-
ned his questions to the Count, while
ne made some minutes upon paper
Pedro was now summorcd.sv explain
some matter, rs he entered, the Gov.
Gen. turned his back for oso moment
"s If 80 seek for some papers upon his
table, while Miralda was pressed in
the boatman's arms. 1t was but for
few moments, and the next Pedro
was bowing humbly before Tacon.-
a few moments more and the Govern
or's page returned, accompanied by O
monk Of the church Of Santa Clara,
with the emblcms of his Office"
Holy father" said Tacon, "y you
will bind The hands of thi Count al.
monte and Miralda Estacz together
in the bonds Of wcdlock."
"Exccllencia," exclaimed the Count
III amaZemcnt.
"Not word, Scnor, it is your
part to obey !''
"My nobility. Excelcncia !"
Is loritited,' said Tacon.
Count Almontc had too many cvi.
dcnccs before his minds eye of'racon's
mode OF administering justice and of
enforcing his own will to dare to rebel,
and he doggedly yielded in silence
ioor Pedro, not daring to speak, was
nall craZcd TO sec the prize he had so
long coveted thus about tote torn
from him. In few momcHts the
ceremony was pcrforplcl, ,-the trems.
bling and bcwi!dcrcd girl not daring
to thwart the Governors ort!cts, and
| the priest declared them husband and
wife. The Captain OF inc guard was
summoned and dispatched with some
written order, and in Il few subsequent
moments Count AImonte, completely
subducl and broken spirited, was
ordered TO return to his plantation. -
Pedro and Miralda were directed to
remain in AN adjoining apartment to
that which had been the scene of this
singular procedure. Count Almonte
mounted his horse, and with a single
attendant soon passed out Of the city
gates. But hardly had he passed the
corner of tho Paseo, when q dozen
muskcts fred . volley upon him aud
nc fell q corpse upon the road
his body Was quietly removed, and
the captain Of the guard, who had
witnessed the act, made minute unon
his order as to the time and place, and
mounting his horse, rode to the Gov
enoe's palace, entering the presence
chamber just as Pedro and MralLa
! were once more summoned before tho
Governor.
" EHcsllencia," said the officer, re.
turning the order. 1t is executed u
Is the Count dead 2"
Excellencia, yes"
Proclaim in the usual manner, the
marriage Of Count Almonte and Mi
ralda Estalez, and also that she is his
legal widow, possessed of his titles aud
estates. See that proper officer at
tends her to the Counts estates, and
enforce this decision" Then, turning
to Pedro Mantnnez, he said.
No man or woman in this island
is 80 humble but they may claim JUS
tice OF Tucon ~
Tho story furnishes its own moral.
| n