Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-10-26

Cohtluuou MS PiOiuoo PheiohaSO III q way
to which Mirslda could find no plausible
pretext for complaint.
At last, seizing upon what he considered
a favorable moment, Count Almonte de-
clared his passion to Miralda, besought her
to come and be the mistress of his broad
and rich estates at Critic. near the city. and
offered all the promises of wealth, favor
and fortune; but in vain. The pure minded
girl scorned his offer, and bade him never
more to insult her by visiting her shop.
Abashed, but not confounded, the count
retired. but only to weave a new snare
whereby he could entangle her, for he was
not one to be so easily thwarted.
One afternoon, as the twilight was
settling over the town, a file of soldiers
halted just opposite the little cigar shop,
when young man, wearing a lieutenant's
insignia, entered and asked the attendant
if her name was Miralda Estalez, to which
she timidly responded.
Then you will please to come with
me-"
:" By what authorityP" asked the trem-
bling girl.
" The order of the encouragement"
"Then | must obey you," 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 getting into volante, told Miral-
da 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
.,fter were dashlng off on the road to
Crlto. Then il was she began to fear
some trick had been played upon her, and
These fears were soon confirmed by the
vOante turning down the long alley of
pa M that led TO the estate of Count AL
monte.
1t was in vain to expostulate now. She
telt that she WAS in the power of the reck-
less nobleman, and the pretended officer
q d soldiers were his own people, who
ad adopted the disguise of the Spaniso
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 replied contemptuously to his
words, and charged him with the coward
ly trick by which he had gained control of
her liberty.
She was left by herself, though watched
by his orders at all times to prevent her
escape.
She knew veryswell that the power and
will of Count Almonte were too strong for
any humble friend of hers to attempt to
thwart; and yet she somehow felt q con-
scious strength in Pedro, and secretly
cherished the idea that he would discover
her place of confinement and adopt some
means to deliver her
The stiletto is the constant companion
of the lower classes, and Miralda had been
used to wear one in her store against any
emergency; but she now regarded the
tiny weapon with peculiar satisfaction and
slept with it in her bosom.
Small was the cew by which Pedro
Mantanez discovered the trick of Count
Almonte. First this was found OUT; then
that circumstance, and then, being put
together, they led to other results, until
the indefatigsble glover was iat last fully
satisfied that he2had discovered her place
of confinement. Disguised rs a friar of
the order of San Felipe, he sought Count
Almonte's gates at a favorable moment
met Miralda, cheered her with fresh hopes
and retired to arrange some certain plar
for her delivery. There was time to think
noW. Heretofore he had not permitted
himself even an hours sleep; but she
was safe; that is, not in immediate dan
ger and he could breathe more freely. He
knew not with whom to advise; he feared
to speak to those above him in society les
they might betray his purpose to the coun
and his own liberty, by some means, b.
thus jeopardized. He could only consider
with himself; he must be his own counsel
or in this critical case.
At last, rs if in despair, he started to hi
feet one day and exclaimed to himself
:" Why not go to headquarters at once
Why not see the governor-general and tel
him the whole truthp All! see himP How
is this to be effectedP And then this Coun
Almonte is II nobeman. They say Taco
loves Justice We shall see. WiU 90 [
the governor general. 1t cannot do an
harm if it does not do any good ca
but try.
And Pedro did seek the governor. True
, he did ot.at once get audience of him
- not the first, nor the second, nor THU
: time; bul he persevered and was admitte
at asst. Here be told his story in fire.
y manly voice, undisguisedly and open
all things, SO that Tacon was pleased.
"And the grip" asked the governo
general, over whose countenance a dar
scowl had gathered; sis she thy sister,
mo, excelencia; she is dearer still
= she is my betrothed."
8 The governor, bidding him come neare
took golden cross. from his table, an
handing it to the boatman, as he regarde
q him searchingly, said: "Swear that whi
9 you have related to me is true, as yc
d hope for HeavenF'
r. ~ swear said Pedro, kneeling al
a kissing the emblem with simple reve
d ence.
r The governor turned to his table. wro
a a few brief lines, and touching bel
summoned his page from an adjoinir
It room, whom he ordered to; send the ca