Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-03-16

yours. Pedro, take what is mine F.! /
cannot live without you, my darling"
And the count c1ught the resisting,
struggling girl in his arme, all the
persuasion Of a strong nature glov ing
in his sinister but handsome face.
Dashipg from lin, Mir Ida defed
him to come near her. Wrought up
to the heights of Indignation, her eyes
flashing and her form in n CULVER of
excitement, she dared him to to lch
her.
81 shall take my life, and what good
will be your victory them"
Turning the count left her without
word. He would have his pretty
captive closely watched to prevent
such disaster, and tn be would let
her bcat her pretty wings a ainst the
bars till they were weary of confne-
ment. Absence from the other lover,
the luxuries Ct her surroundings,
thoughtful attentions might work
wondrous changes. Most women
were susceptible to these things, why
not she? And then propinquity had a
winning influence. Her nearness to
him and silent affection might win
more for him than bis enforced love
The count wanted her love, nor could
he bear. the thought that she hated
| him. He must win that love.
The girls lover, Pedro, had, in his
d;smay upon finding that his AIiralda
had mysteriously disappeared, believed
her faithless, and with this thought
sursing through his brain he was over
whelmed with grief and distracted to
desperation. He began a diigent
search, and by quiet piece of detective
work he discovered she had been car
ried by military escort to Count Al
mont's castle. Knowing the mans
character and suspecting his design.
the COR fellow was almost crazed.
Disgusting himself as friar Of the
order OF San Felipe he succeeded in
gaining admission to the castle in the
absence of the count and in securing an
interview with his inamorata.
She told him al of The counts de-
monstrations, his assurances and cruel
boasts.
"But shall save you, my darling"
declared the half distracted lover, as he
strained her to his heart and kissed a
hurried farewell.
He must get her out of this monsters
clutches-but low? The count was
rich ard powerf' !, while he, Pedro, was
a poor soldier with no influence to aid
him. He had heard Tacon, the COVER
nor-genera', loved justice; he would APP
peal to him, and he determined 10 go
to him atonce5. ' IVA. . ,
He Coined an audience and put the
matter before him in a straightforward
way, giving the details of Miralda's alb
duction with vigorous e2rnestness.
When he hal finished The governor
general asked;
"Is Miralda your sister,"
"She is my betrothed,' proudly re-
Piled Pedro.
Tacon looked at him searchingly, and
then, turning, picked Up cruclfix and
commanded him to sw, al 10 the truth
of what he had said, while his keen
penetrating eye seemed to look into the
inne:mc st soul of the man before him.
Pedro knelt and kissing the cross
made OATH
Tacon took leave of him for few
moments and babe him wait.
Two hours later the count and Miral-
da were brought before Tacon. With
his usual sternness Tacon demanded /: |
Count Almont, you adopted the |
uniform Of the guards to work your own
private purposes upon this young girl
did you not?"
'Excellencia, 1 DID," the count re-
Piled.
"Dec are, sir, upon your honor whetb-
er she whom you have had as prisoner
is unnamed"
"Excellencia, she is as pure as when
she entered beneath my roof" was the
reply/w,th sneering accent which
conveyed On imputation OF her former
chastity.
TIMING from the group to an at
ten( Mt he requested the presence Of
a pr est from the church near by. In
q few IN lutes the priest entered.
"Holy father" said Tacon, you Will
! A l. L. l. ~ A