The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1872-07-04

ped forward, while a CLEAN OF nope
spread over Dart Bradford's face.
"You are brave and generous, young
sir. but prefer the game of chance tc
settle it." said the commanding officer
entering the tent, accompanied by his
aides.
What say you, Dart?'
Every well, let us end this farce
And Dart Bradford's face darkened
I Seated at the table, dice were placed
before the two young officers, and while
the Mexicans stood around eagerly
watching tho result the throwing for
life or death commenced Three dice
were used and three throws allowed
to each officer, the one throwing the
highest number was to escape. Roy
Worthington was the first to begin,
and, with firm hand, he ratified the
box and threw them upon the table.
Three, five, and six fourteen
Throw again, sir" said the Mexican
commander -Four, six, and tive-tif-
teen. You throw well, sir. Once
more Two skies and three-tifteen!
Twice fifteen and fourteen are forty-four
Now it is your turn, sir" And the box
was handed to Dart Bradford, who took
| it with a hand that slightly trembled,
and threw the dice upon the table
cone, two, and" But before the
last number could be counted Darts hat
fell from his head upon the table and
one Of them was knocked on the ground.
How unlucky! You'll have to com
mence over again, sir. Now
Again taking the box, Dart made an
other throw, and the Mexican called out:
Two, three, and four-nine" A
deadly palor spread over the young OF.
ticer's face as he again threw the dice
upon the table. Three skies. You are
in luck, sir That throw may have
saved You, Now try again"
The hand holding the dice,box visibly
shook as the last throw was made, but
ere the dice could be counted by the
Mexican the table gave way from the
weight upon il, and again the little reg
ular blocks, upon whose numbers life
hung, were scattered 4 frown dark.
cuod the commanders brow. aud several
of his staff conyerscd together in low
tones Is the table was being set upI
again, and the last chance WAS given |
The throw was made
Three skies. Eighteen andtwcn:y.
seven are f1rty.!iyc. You have won, |
sir \ close game of c3luucn," said the |
Mexican, as Dart spraug % his feet uu-
able to conceal his joy at his escape.
We'll, Dart, | have lost. Here, old
fellow, are my papers. watch. aud ppck- /
et-book. This ring belongs now to Ida.
| made my will in her favor before we
left F.. Goodbye, old fellow. aud
tell them nj home lied bravoly. Cen
tIcmcn, | am ready" And, with firm
bearing. :hc American turned 10 his
captors ana was led away to execution.
while Dart Bradford was forwarded to
the lines to be exchanged for a Mexican
officer Of equal rank with himself.
Three years went by. Peace once
more rcigned in the land, and the shat.
tered remnant Of the F-Gnards re-
turned to their homes crowned with
victory. Dart Bradford returned with l.
them, but with the rank of Colonel. for
he had been promoted to that grade.
Upon reaching the American lines
after the game Of life he had played
with poor Roy Worthington, he had
the things to Ida Bonner
entrusted to his care, and told her oil
what had happened, and that he had
begged Roy to let him die in his stead,
IS no ties Of requited love bound him
10 the world with anticipations Of fu-
.urc happiness.
Ida deeply mourned for Roy, and
wrote Dart a beautiful letter thanking
lim for the noble part he had acted to. {
ward his rival and friend, for she be- !,
icvcd all that he had said; and upon {
he return Of the gallant Colonel it was /
not many weeks before he gained the 6
promise Of Ida to become his wife.
The Joy of her bridal eve was dim :
ned to Ida Bonner by The thought of
,oor Roy, lying far away in foreign
and; for though she loved Dart with :
rue affection, she could not feel for him
he same deep love she had given his q