, 1872-09-12
Gambling for a Life.
BY COLONEL PRENTIss INGRAHAM.
All was a scene of gaiety in the pret

~i1lage of F., situated Ill one OF the
most fertile districts in the rich State of
Kentucky. The occasion of the joyous
demonstration was one of mingled plea
sure aud pain. The United States had
called On her sons to brave the danger
of war, the country was aroused, and an
army under the starry flag was about to
invade Mexico.
In F. agallant company of soldiers
had been raised, and upon the morrow
were to leave their pleasant homes for
the scenes of war.
It was the night before their depart
ure, and one of the wealthy citizens of
the town had given grand farewell en-
tertainment in their honor, and thus all
was pleased confusion in preparing for
the gay scene at Judge Bonner's large
and handsome mansion.
The generous old Judge had spared
neither pains nor expense to make their
entertainment one of great magnihcence
and when the evening arrived he receiv-
ed his numerous guests, aided by his
only child, daughter of seventeen years
of age.
Lida Bonner was the acknowledged
belle of f, and she was beloved for
her beauty and lovely character not only
by the young gallants of the village, but
also by her school companions, for at
the opening of this story she was yet IL
school girl.
The company from F was COM
manded by Captain Roy Worthinston, a
planter of means, and as handsome as
he was popular. His first lieutenant
was one of his most intimate friends,
anu yet between the two there came n
slight cloud. for both Roy Worthington
and Dart Bradford loved Lida Bonner.
To both of the young men the beautiful
girl listened, for she was a sad coquette,
but toward the gsllant captain her heart
had awakened with feelings of love, and
yet neither knew his fate at her hands
up to that day, the eve of their depart
ure for far off Mexico.
'Lida, are you totally Indifferent to
me? Can not hope. even if l may
hope to return to dear old F., that
you will not have forgotten me?' said
Rey.
"Indeed, you are dear to me, Roy,
and I promise that you shall not be for
gotten.''
"Do you love me, Ida? VIII you
promise me this little hand upon my
return?"
81 promise, Roy" and thus the two
pledged their love, and once more en-
tered the brilliantly illuminated parlors
of the mansion, for they had strayed
away into the garden.
Miss Ida, this is my dance, l be-
lieve?" and Dart Bradford stood before
the lovers.
4" Yes. I'll see you again. Roy
And the young girl was whirled away
in the waltz.
Will you promenade once round the
garden, Lida?"
"Yes, Dart, for how can refuse you
brave soldiers anything?"
The blue eyes We're turned with full
force upon her companion.
For some moments they walked in ST.
lence, then Dart Bradford stopped sud
denly and said:
Ida, I asked you to come here that
j L might tell ycu loved you; that"
"Oh, Dart, do not pain me. Let me
be frank with you. for would not raise
hope in your heart that I cannot fulfil.
l am engaged to another"
1.-The other is"
Roy Worthington, your best friend"
"Be it SO, Miss Bonner. Shall we
return to the mansion?" And. offering
his arm, they were soon again lningling
mid the gay dancers.
From the village in old Kentucky the
scene has changed to sunny Mexico.
Seated in a tent within the Mexican
lines are two young officers unarmed,
and their surroundings prove they are
prisoners. Though pale and of sadden-
ed faces, easily to be recognized are Roy
Worthington and Dart Bradford. The
former wears his left arm in sling and
appears to be suffering, although his
face looks brave and determined.
"Well, Dart, thus will end the ambi-
tious and bright dreams of one of US;
which, it is hard to say
" Yes, Roy. Our poor company sac
rificed in the last desperate charge and
one of us condemned to die in retalia-
tion for that officer spy whom Gen. Tay-
lor had shot some day S since. 1t is re-
ally too bad
An officer entered, dressed in gorgeous
Mexican uniform. !
Gentlemen" he said, sit is the de-
cision that one of you must die. The
commanding officer has determined not
to make the selection, but that you shall
play game of chance that is, gamble
for your lives-the victor to be spared"
"That were useless. Let me be the
yictim.'' And Roy Worthington stepped