Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-12-31
Eelfrt Misrfllany.
A GAME FOR LIFE OR DEATH.
A THRILLING STORY.

1t was night in the camp of Maxi,
milian's army. and sounds of merri-
ment were heard upon all sides, for
soldiers are ever won't to indulge in
pleasure, regardless Of what the NOR.
row will bring forth.
In tent in the inner circle of the
camp sat two officers at rude table
upon which was marked with lead
pencil chess. or checker board. while
black and white buttons served foI
the "men."
Around the tent were stationed
guards, and both Of the officers were
Nnarmed. while not a weapon of any
description was visible in their canva:
room.
They were prisoners; soldiers in
the service of Juarez, captured the
day before; but their appearance indi.
Gated that they were not Mexicans.
Both men were of tall commanding
forms, and Of easy, graceful address;
but, where one had dark blue eyes,
and light hair and mustache, the other
had eyes that were large and black,
with brown hair and mustache.
Both men were exceedingly hand
some, and upon their faces bore the
impress of noble souls and hearts that
knew no fear.
\ love of adventure had caused
them 10 leave their homes in the north,
after the close of the civil war, in
which both had fought bravely, and
cast their swords with Juarez, to aid
in driving from Mexican soil a Ger
man emperor.
Capoul Monteith, the blonde officer,
was young man of wealth and good
family. u New Yorker, and n pet in
society.
Garnet Weston. the brunette, was a
poor man, "a young lawyer in New
York, of good, though poor parentage.
He was possessed of superior intelli-
gence, and was fast winning name,
when he crossed the path of Mabel
Monteith, the sister Of Capoul and a
beauty and IN heiress.
So deeply did Garnet love Mabel
that he was miserable when not in her
presence, and he believed she cared for
him; but his pride was great, and he
would not offer pauper hand to "a
belle and heiress, and so struggled
hard to win fortune and fame III his
profession.
One day, an evil day for Garnet, q
pretended friend told him that Mabel
was his promised wife, but that their
engagement had not yet been made
public.
Like one in dream Garnet Weston
listened, and then in despair determin-
ed ts seek some more stirring field,
where the image of his lost love would
not be ever before him.
\ month later found him cavalry
captain in the army Of Benito Juarez,
where few weeks later, he was sur
prised to be joined by Capoul Monteith,
who had also offered his service to the
Mexican President.
In an engagement, two days before
they are presented to the reader in
their tent, they had been captured and
carried into the lines of Maximilian.
That night in camp they were play
ing a game of checkers, pour passer le
temps, and Capoul, who was an expert
player, was surprised to see how readi-
ly he was beaten by Garnet.
Suddenly a heavy tread resounded
without, the sentinel challenged, there
was response, and the next instant
three of Maximilian's officers entered
the tent, one of whom was an Ameri-
can, Republican fighting for Imperi-
al Mexico, against the Republic; an
other was fashylooklng Frenchman ;
the third was Mexican colonel.
"Gentlemen, | am sorry to disturb
you; but news has come tonight that
Benito Juarez has executed a captain
of our army, and | have orders to
select one of You, and march you forth
to die in retaliation" and the Ameri-
can Imperialist looked sad over the
duty he had to perform.
"Iou cannot mean that one cf us
must die for an offence against Maxi
milan by Juarez," said Capoul Mon
teith, rising,
Gwen SO are my orders, sir; but
know not which to select, for my duty
is most painful
''Let the gentlemen play game fol-
the choice--the loser to die" suggest
ed the young Frenchman.
"a good idea, monsieur. Gentle
men, | observe you were playing game
of checkers when we entered, so set tC
work and play three games, the one