Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-09-18
Then must obey you," she answered;

IL was that she began to lear some trlcl
had been played upon her; and these fear
t, were soon confirmed by the volante's turn
ing down the long alley of palms that Lex
d. to the estate Count Almonte. 1t was il
vain to expostulate now; she felt that sh,
was i:G the power of the reckless nobleman
and the pretended officer and soldiers wert
s. his own people, who had adopted the dis
guise of the Spanish army uniform.
Count 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 iberty,-that he trusted, in
time, to persuade her to look more favOra-
bly, upon him, and that in all things be
was her slave. She replied cOntemptuous-
ly 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 orders
at all times to prevent her escape.
She knew very we'll that the power and
will of Count Almonte we're too strong for
any humble friend of hers to attempt to
thwart; and yet she somehow felt con-
scious strength in Pedro, and secretly cher
ished the idea that he would discover her
place of confinement, and adopt some means
to deliver her, The stilletto is the con-
slant companion of the lower classes, and
Miralda bad been used to wear one even in
her store against contingency, but she now
regarded the tiny weapon with peculiar
satisfaction, and slept with it in her bo-
somi
Small was the clue by which Pedro
Mantanez discovered the trick of Count AL
monte. First this was found out, then
that circumstance, and these, being put TO-
gether, they led to other results, until the
indefatigable lover was at last fully salts
fed that he had discovered her place of
confinement Disguised as a friar of the
order of San Felipe, he sought Count Al |
mOnte's gate at favorable moment, met |
Miralda, cherished her with fresh hopes, |
and retired to arrange some certain plan
for her delivery. There was time to think
not0; heretofore he had not permitted him.
self 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
they might betray his purpose to the count,
and his own liberty, by thus means, be
thus jeopardized. He could only consider
with himself; he must be his own counsel
lOr in this critical case.
At last, as if in despair, he started to
his feet, one day, and exclaimed to himself,
"Why not 60 to headquarters at once
why not see the governor-general. and tell
him the whole truth? Ali see ehim?-how
is that to be effected? And then this Count
AlmOnte is nObleman. They say Tacon
loves justice. We shall see. aciH 90 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 COVER
nor. True, he did not at once get audi
ence of him,-not the first, nor the second,
nor the third time; bnt he persevered, and {
was admitted at last. Here he told his
story in free, manly voice, undisguisedly t
and open in all things, so that TacOn was I
pleased. D
"And the girl?'' asked the governor I
general, over whose eountenance a dark c
scOwl had gathered "Is she thy sister," &
"NO, Excelencia. she is dearer still; she I
is my betrothed."
The governor, bidding him come nearer, /
took golden cross from his table, and, t
handing it to the boatman, as he regarded
him searchingly said, e
''Swear that what you have related to t
me is true, as you hope for hes4e6l"
al swearl' said Pedro, kneeling and Q
kissing the emblem with simple reverence. 7
The governor turned to his table, wrote S
a few brief lines, and, touching a bell, Q
summoned page from an adjoining room, t
whom he ordered to send the captain of the I
guard to him. Prompt as were all who t
had any connection with the governors v
household, the officer appeared at once, t
and received the written order, with direc- r
tiOrs to bring Count Almonte and young Il
girl named Miralda Immediately before me. r
Pedro was sent to anteroom, and the bust b
ness Of the day passed on as usual in the t
reception hall of the governor. g
Less than two hours had transpired t
when the count and Miralda stood before +
TacOn.-Neither know the nature of the C
business which had summoned them there. o
Almonte half suspected the truth, and the II
poor girl argued to herself that her fate y
could not but be improved by the inter- y
ference, let its nature be what it might. o
Count AlmOnte, you doubtless know b
why l have ordered you to appear here. s
"Excellencia, fear that L have been il
Indiscreet," was the reply. il
"You adopted the uniform of the guards h
fOr your own private purposes upon this o
TOung girl, did you nOt?' t.
"Excellencia, cannot deny it. T.
Declare, upon your honor, Count AL a
monte, whether she is unharmed whom you b
lave thus kept prisoner" n
"Excellencia, she is as pure as when she 81
'ntered beneath my roof, was the truthful
eply.
The governor turned, and whispered ],
something to his page, then continued his Il
questions to the count, while ne made some W
minutes upon paper. Pedro was now sum- m
noned TO explain some matters, and, as he sa
entered, the governor-general turned his 81
back for one moment as if to seek for some a
1apers upon his table, while Miralda was M
pressed in the boatman's arms. 1t was be
1ut for a moment, and the next, Pedro was p,
,owing humbly before Tacon. A few mo- Sc
nents more and the governors page re- or
urned, accompanied by a monk of the II
hurch of Santa Clare, with the emblems fir
# his Office. pl
"Holy father" said Tacon, 'you will 81
lind the hands of this Count Almonte and
Aiiralda Estale1 together in the bonds of