The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-10-07
A Cuban Story.

Mralda Estalz, who kept little cigar store
III the Gale de Mercaderes, and whose shon
was the resort of all the the Young men of
the town who loved choicey-made and su.
periOr cigar.
Mlralda was only seventeen, without IA
Their or mother living, and earned humble
though sufficient support by aer industry in
the mandatory we have named, and by the |
sales OF her little store. She was picture
OF tropical beauty, with q fnely-rounded |
form, a lovely face, of soft olive tint. and
teeth that Tuscarora might envy her At
times there was dash of languor in her
dreamy eye that would have warmed an an
chorite; and then her cheerful tests were so
delicate, yet free, that she had unwittinqly
turned the heads, not to say hearts, of half
the young merchants in the Gale de Merca-
Ieres. But she dispensed her favors without
partlahty; none of the rich and gay exqus-
ties of Havana could say they had ever re-
ceived any particular acknowledgements from
the fair young girl of their warm and con-
slant attention. For this one she had
pleasant smile, for another, a few words of
pleasing gossip, and for the third snatch of
Spanish song but to none did she give her
confidence except to young Pedro Mantauex,
tne-looking boatman, who piled between
the Punta and Moro Castle, on the opposite
side or the harbor.
Pedro was manly and courageous Young
fellow rather above his class in intellcence,
appearance, and associations, pulled his oars
with strong arm and ligh5 heart and loved
the beautiful Mraldd with an al dor romantic
IN fidelity and truth. He was a sort of
leader among the boatmen in the harbor, by
reason OF his superior cultivation and intelli-
gence, and his quick-witted Sagacitv was
often turned to the benefit of his comrades
Many were the noble deeds he had done in
and about the harbOr since bey-for he had
followed his calling of a waterman from boy
hood, as his father had done before him
Miralda in turn ardently loved Pedro, and
when nc, came at hight and sat in the back
part of her little shop, she had alw avs a neat
and fragrant cigar for his lips Now and
then, when she could steal away from her
shop, on some holiday, Pedro would hoist a
tiny sail in the prov of his boat, and securing
the little steyn-awning over Niralda's head,
would steer out into the gulf, and coast along
the romantic shore.
There was a famous rOue, we'll known at
this time in Havana, named Count Almonte,
who had frequently visited Airaldas shop,
and conceived quite passion for the girl;
indeed, he had grown 70 be one of her most
liberal customers.
With a cunning shrewdness and knowledge
Of human nature, the count besieged the
heart of his intended victim without appear
ing to do so, and carried on this plan Of oper-
atoms for many weeks before the innocent
girl even suspected his possessing a partiality
for her; until one day she was sarprised by a
present from him of so rare and costly ma
ture as to lead her TO suspect the donors in
tentiOns at once, and TO prompt " decline the
offe ed gift.
Undismayed BY this, still the Count con
tinued his profuse patronage ia way of
which Mralda could find no plausible pretext
Of complaint. At last, Selling upon what he
considered a favorable moment, Count Almon-
te declared his passion for Miralda, besought
her to come and be the mis- ress of his broad
and rich estate at Cerito, near the city, and
offered her all the promises of wealth, favor
and forUune-but in vain. The pure-minded
girl scorIIed his offer, and babe him never
more insult her by visiting her shop.
Abashed but not COMPOUNDED, the Count re
tired, but only to weave new snare whereby
he could entangIe her-for he was not one to
be so easily thwarted. One afternoon, not
long after this, as the twilight was setting
over the town, file of soldiers halted just
opposite the door of the little cigar shop,
WHICH d Oulig lldu, wearing IL tIeutCLdIlG : III
sigma, entered, and asked if her name was
Miralda Estalez-to which she timidly re-
Sponded in the affirmative.
''Then you will please to come with me y
"By what authority ?" asked the ire milling
girl
The order OF the Governor q eneral !"
Then | must obey your. she answered,
and prepared to follow him at once.
Stepping to the door with her the Young
officer directed his men to march on, and get
ting iato a volante, told Miralda they would
drive to the guard-house; but, to the surprise
OF the girl, she soon after discovered that
they were rapidly passing the city gates, and
Immediately after were dashing off on the road
TO Cerito
Then it was that she began to fear that
some trick had been played upon her; and
these fears were soon confirmed by the
volante's turning down the long alley of
palms that led to the estate OF Count AL
monte.
1t was III Vain to expoStulate now she
felt that she was in the power OF the reckless
nobleman, and the pretended officer and sol
diers 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 her
personal liberty-that he trusted in time to
persuade her to look more favorably upon
him-and that in all things he was her
slave.
She repied cOntemntOusly to his words