Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-03-16
MIRALDA.
A ROMANCE OF OLD HAVANA.

LOU UHO Ill buC OuDun tupll0l lltb
a beautiful Creole girl, Miralda Estalez.
She was an orphan, her father and
mother LAYING died in early childhood.
In little cigar shop she served rs
shopkeeper for her uncle, maker of
fine cigars. Her beauty and charm OF
manner attracted great attention, par
ticulailY from young men Of the town,
who made the Estalez cigar shop fav-
orite loafing place.
Despite the attentions and fattery
paid her by admripg galants, Miralda
was coldly Indifferent to the homage
bestowed; Indifferent she was, chiefly
because of natural refinement and
modesty which added greatly TO her
beauty of face and form.
Yet fair Mlralda's heart throbbed
will the tender passion, for she had a
lover as Living and true and brave as
! any Launcelct OF OLD.
Her lover, young Pedro, was sold
Ter. Their berothal had been loog
one and it was very near their marriage
day. Miralda held her betrothal with
a sacred regard, and to him alone she
gave her heart affection. 1t was greatly
to her credit that while she was always
affable and kind, she was noted fer her
womanly reserve.
Among the many young patrons Of
the Estalez shop was gay and rich
young count, the gayest cavalier in all
Havana. He had conceived q violent
passion for Milalda, and in many ways
gave ii expression, always meeting a
repulse.
One day finding her alone he declar-
ed his love and pleaded that she would
go with him to his splendid mansion at
Cerito i'll the suburbs. where she should
be surrounded with luxury, and all that
heart could desire should be hers But
the quick intuition of the girl interpret
ed his meaning, and with soon she re-
scented the insult to her womanhood.
Never look upon my face, Count AL
mont" cried Mirilda with indignation
ringing in her tones and flashing from
her eyes, 81 have bonorifnot wealth, and
you dare not insult me further Leave
my presence And with this COM
mand she turned from him full Of scorn
and grief, as only true woman can
manifest when her honor is trampled.
But the love of Almoht would not be
subdued by this dismissal or scorp, nor
his purpose thwarted. Have this sweet
creature for his own he. must at any
cost. With the desperation Of man
deeply in love and evil in design, he
laid plan by which means he partially
carried out his scheme.
On the day following Miranda was
startled to see the approach of a file Of
soldiers, which halted at the little cigar
shop, while the lieutenant entered and
ordered the young girl to go with him.
"Wbere and by whose orders?" de-
mandel tn frightened girl.
"The goyernor-generals," he Guilty
replied, to which answer the dismaye1
and mysteied Miralda made no reply,
deemiDg it an order she dare rot Dis
obey. Though trembling and defiant,
she walked from the little cigar shop as
a prisoner If the officer in command of
the soldiers, for she knew the orders of
the encouragement must not be dis
obeyed, however innocent she might
be of any wrong. |
The govern or general, Don Miguel
Tacon, held the rens of Spanish gov
eminent on the island of Cuba and
held them well. His policy was one OF
violence, and he ruled with an IRON
hand. Yet TO his honor it was said
even by those who disliked him tina.
he had but che Interpretation OF the
law for the rich and poor, and justice
was meted to the wealthiest grandee
as to tie humblest peasant. Justice
was not often tempered with mercy in |
his judicial capacity, but that he had
a keen sense oil right and strong syin-
pathies was to be 81 own in the mis-
fortunes Ct this young girl,
All unkowing of her doom Mira.da
was hurried through the town and
then conveyed as prisoner under
guards to Count Almonte's caste at
Ceriio,
Imagine tho dis racIed girls cons
formation W hen she was met inside her
prison, which was a luxurious apart
ment, by Count Almont, who well
n