Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1872-08-01
all the thou at h County thy Gods Truth

a.
shop he bit his lip and clinched
his fist with evident disappoint.
sment.
When Pedro heard of what had
happened, his Indignation knew
no bounds, and he resolved to take
summary vengeance but Miral-
da begged him not to be precipi-
tate, as she had now no fear Of
further molestatlon from the count;
and as days elapsed, and Altman
te had not resumed his visits, it
seemed apparent he had taken
Miralda's advice and transferred
his custom elsewhere.
One evening as Miralda was a.
bout closing her shop for the night,
"a party of soldiers halted before
the door. The commanding Of
ficer entered, aud, without a word,
presented to the astonished to-
.bacconist warrant for, her ar
rest. Knowing that it was useless
to 'disobey any officer in the en-
ploy of the captain-general, Mi
ralda siguifed her readiness to
accompany the military escort,
who, accordingly, placed her in
their midst, and conducted her
through the streets in the direc-
ton of the prison. But instead
of halting here, the party contin-
ueG their march until they had
reached the confines of the city.
Miralda's courage now deserted
her, and, with tears in her eyes,
she appealed to the officer in COM
mand.
"Por la Virgen Santisima y she
exclaimed, "let me know where |
am being takento.p a-ty SD .j.
"You will learn when you get
there. Our orders strictly forbid
us to make any explanation" was
the only reply she obtained.
Miralda was not long in learn
ing the worst. Very shortly, her
escort halted before Count Altman
te's castle, in the neighborhood of
the Cerr6, and. having entered
the courtyard. of that building,
the fair captive was conrlused
tremblingly into chamber ele-
gantly fitted up for her reception.
After waiting here few minutes
in painful suspense, an inner door
was thrown open, and Count AL
mante stood before her. The
scene which then followed may be
better imagined than described. =
We may, be sure that the count
used every effort in order to pre-
vail upon his prisoner, but with
out success. Miralda's invariable
was the CLEAN of her
which never left her hand
from the.frst moment of. entering
the odious building. Finding that
mild measures would not win the
pretty tobacconist. the count, as
is usual under such circumstances
with persons Of his nature, threat
ened her with violence; and he
would, doubtless, have carried out
his threat, if Miralda had not an
him by promising to re-
lent and become his if her perse-
cutor would allow her one short
week to reconsider her determin-
alton. Deceived by the girls as
sumed manner, Almante acceded
to her desire, and agreed to wait
the prescribed , days. ?. Miralda,
however, felt assured that before
their expiration her lover would
her Whereabouts, and by
some means effect her release
She was not disappointed, Miral-
da's sudden disappearance was
soon made known to Pedro Man.
tanez, who, confident that his be-
loved had fallen into the counts
clutches, determined to obtain, ac-
cess to Almante's palace: For
this purpose he assumed the dress
Of monk and his face being
unknown at the castle, be easily
obtained an entry, and, afterward,
an interview with Miralda her
self. The girls surprise and joy
at beholding her lover were un-
In his strong embrace
she became oblivious of her sor-
rows, confident that the young
boatman would now conduct her
speedily into a harbor of refuge.
She was not mistaken. Pedro
sought and obtained an audience
with General Tacon. The gener-
al was, as usual, immersed in
public affairs; but being gifted
with the enviable faculties OF
hearing, talking, and writing at
the same moment, merely glanced
at his applicant, and desired him
to tell his story. Pedro did as he
was desired, and when he had con-
cluded, Tacon, without raising his
eyes from the papers, over which
be appeared intently engaged,
made the following inquiry: