The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-10-07
OF Count Almonte were too strong for anv
humble friend of har,s 70 o..a=. e L.

anu yeI she somehow felt q conscious strength
IN fedro, and secretly cherished the idea
mat ne would discover her place of confne
| nleht, ana adopt some means to deliver her.
Inc stlletto is the constant companion of the
lower classes-and Mirada had been used to
wear one. even in her store against contin
gency; bat she now regarded the weapon with |
| peculiar satisfaction, and slept with it in her
| bosom.
Small was the clue by which Pedro Manta-
nee discovered the trick of Count Almonte.
First this was found out, then that circum- |
stance; and these being put together, thew led
to other results, until the indefatigable lover
was at last fully satisfied that he had dis |
covered her place of confinement. DISGUISED
| as a frlar of the Order of San Feline he |
sought Count Almonte's gates at a favorable
moment, met Miralda, cheered her IN with
fresh hopes, aud retired to arrange some GER
tain plan for her delivery. There was no time to
think now; heretofore he had not permitted
himself even an hours sleep; bur she was
sate-that is, not in immediate danger-and
he could breathe more freely He knew not
with whom to advise 4; he feared to speak to
those above him in society, lest they might
betray his purpose to the count, and his own
liberty be jeopardized. He could only con-
slider with himself; he must be his own coun-
sellor in this case At last, as if in despair
he started to his fees one day, and exclaimed
to himself:
= why not go to headquarters at once?
Why not see the Governor-General, and tell
him the whole truth ALL see him-how is
that to be effected? And then this Count Al
monte is a nobleman! They say Tocon loves
justice. We shall see. I will 90 to the
Goeernor-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 audience of him, either
the first, or the econd, or the third time !;
: but he persevered, and was admitted at
last,
Here he told his story in a free, manly
voice, undisguisedy and open in all things,
so that Tacon was pleased
and the girl?" asked the Governor
General, over whose countenance dark
scOwl had gathered as she thy sister 2"
<'No eXcelenca-she is dearer still she is
,, MY betrothed
The governor, bidding him come nearer,
took golden cross from his table and
handing it to the boatman, as he regarded
him searchingly, said:
Swear that what YOU have related to me is
true, as you hope for heaven ~
: Il swear = said Pedro, kneeling and kiss
; ing the emblem with reverence
; The governor turned to a table. wrote a
few brief lines, and, touching a bell summon
ed page from an adjoining room, whom he
) ordered to send the captain CT the guard to
; him. Prompt as were all who had any con-
: nection with the governors household, the
officer appeared at once, and received the
written order, with directions to bring Count
Almonte and young girl named Miralda
: Immediately before him. Pedro was sent to
az ante-room, and the business of the day
: passed on as usual in the reception-haI of
the governor Less than two hours trans
pired when the count and Mralda stood be-
fore Tacon. Neither knew the nature Of the
business which had summoned them there
Almonte half suspected the truth, and the
poor girl argued to herself that her fate could
not be improved by the interference, Lee its
. nature be what it might.
| Count AlmOnte, you doubtless know WHY
have ordered you TO appear here?"
"Excelencia, fear that have been indis-
Greet y was the reply
! ''1ou adopted the uniform of the guards
! for your own private purposes upon this young
! girl-dd you not 2"
|, 'Excelencia, | cannot deny it !"
''Declare upon your honor, Count Almonte,
whether she is unframed whom you have
thus k pit prisoner ?"
"Excelencia she is as pure as when she en-
tered beneath my roof!" was the truthful
reply.
The governor turned and whispered some
thing to his page, then continued his questions
to the count, while be made some minutes
upon paper.
Pedro was now summoned to explain some
matter, and, as he entered, the Governor-Gen-
eral turned his back for one moment, as if to
seek some papers upon his table, while Miral-
da was pressed in the boatman's arms. 1t
was but for moment, and the next Pedro
was bowling before Tacon.
4 few moments more, and the governors
page returned, accompanied by monk of the
church Of Santa Clara with the emblems of
his office.
"Holy father, said Tacop, ''you will bind
the hands of this Count Almonte and Mi
ralda Estalez together in the bonds of we'd
lock y
'Exceencia :" exclaimed the count in
amazement.
Not word senior. 1t is your part to
obeyl"
My nobility, excelencia ~
ais forfeited" said Tacon. Count AL
monte had too many evidences before his
minds eve of Tacons mode of administering
justice and of enforcing his own will to dare
to rebel, and he doggedly yielded in silence
Poor Pedro, not daring to speak, was half
crazed to see the prize he had so long coveted
thus about to be torn from him.