Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-12-31

w ltulu lHe HOur. SIT.
tVery we'll; Capoul, | am ready for
the game of life and DEATH"
Capoul Monteith paced to and fro
the tent with quick, nervous strides
hewas young, handsome, possessed of
vast wealth, and fond of life, and he
cafed not to be thus shot down like a
dog; but he was a brave man, and
thought of Garnet Weston, whom he
had always admired, and half wished
to be the loser rather than to see his
friend die.
= am ready" he at length said, and
the two friends, strangers in astrange
land, sat down to play the game for
life or death.
Capoul Monteith played with the
utmost caution, for, IF one must die,
| have as good a right to struggle for
life as has Garnet" he thought.
Garnet WestoRplayed with indiffer-
ence, quiet, sad smile upon his face,
and around them stood the three Off
GERS, and the platoon that were to be
the executioners of the losing one.
Ten minutes passed, twenty, and
the game was won by Capoul Monteith,
whose face flushed crimson and then
paled again.
Garnet Weston's face never changed
an expression, for the same smile rest
ed there.
The second game passed quickly.
Garnet making his move the instant
Capoul had raised his hand, and sur
prising all by his reckless Indifference,
but cool manner.
Five minutes passed, and the second
game was won by Capoul Monteith.
MY God. Garnet, old fellow, | feel
for YOU from my heart cried the
winner, the tears starting to his eyes.
Garnet pressed his friends hand,
the same smile upon his face as he
said, quietly:
Il was ever a poor unlucky dog,
Capoul; but. my friend, when | am
dead look in my saddle-roll. hanging
there, and the papers you find please
deliver to the proper address and
and-Capoul. say to--to Miss Mabel
left farewell for her.
Gentlemen. am ready"
Curses on your Imperial humanity
viii you slay a man rs though he
were hound" cried Capoul, angrily
turning toward the officers, for it cut
him to the heart to thus part with his
friend.
Il WELD to the fortunes of war, Ca
poul. and these gentlemen but do
their duty.
~'--gome, let it be over" replied Gar
net, and shaking the hand of his
friend warmly. he was marched away.
Half distracted with grief. Capoul
Montieth paced his tent, his thoughts
whirling, and his brain on fire, rs he
gazed at the stool where short while
before poor Garnet had sat.
An hour passed, aud the American
officer of the Imperial army stood be-
fore him.
"Well:" said Capoul, hardly daring
TO ask the question.
"Hs is dead"
"God have mercy upon him." groan-
ed the sorrowing friend.
"Yes Captain Montieth, he is dead,
and though have seen many men die
| never sawone face death with such
perfectly calm Indifference, as did
yonr friend.
"IIe gave the order TO the platoon
to fire, and fell instantly; but, ere he
died, he wrote this note to you," and
the American Imperialist handed a
slip of paper to Capoul, and turning
left the tent.
In Garnet's bold hand was written !:
''CaPoua -
II gave my life away 10 save you, for | low
ed Mabel too dearly ever TO let her brother die
where could be sacrificed instead.
II dare tell you this now, for stand on the
brink of my open grave.
Farewell GARNET"
A bitter night of sorrow passed Ca
poul Montieth in that lonely tent, for
well he knew his friend had spoken
the truth, and when months after the
star of Maximilian's crown had set in
gloom, and he resigned from the army
of the successful Juarez, he wended
his way homeward with heavy heart,
for he could not forget that Mexican
soil covered the noble man who had
fallen, a sacrifice to save his life.
Three years passed away after the
game for life or death, and one pleasant
evening, toward the sunset hour, a
horseman was riding slowly along a
highway, traversing a fertile valley of
Southwestern State.
Three years had added more digni-
ty to the face, and perhaps saddened
it; but otherwise no change had ever
come over Capoul Montieth's features.
Upon his right hand, setting back
from the road, was pretty little farm
house, surrounded by fertile fields,
and the sight promising we'll for a
nights's lodging 'for man and beast"
Capoul turned in at the white gateway,
and rode up to the front door, and dis
mounted.
The owner of the mansion descend
ed the steps to greet him, and Capoul
Monteith stood face to face NTH Garnet
UestOn.
"My God! has the grave given up
its dead" cried Capoul in dismay.
"No, old fellow, you find my flesh
and blood ready and willing to give
you hearty welcome to this my home,
left me by an old bachelor uncle q few
months since. But come in; l will
tell you ALL"
The surprised and delighted Capoul
willingly accepted, and around we'll
spread tea-table that evening he heard
how Garnet had been carried forth to
be most bunglingly executed; but a
squadron of Juarez cavalry had ap.
peared and frightened off his execu-
tIpners, ere the first platoon had re.
tIfod opI that a yato h f,11 ron n Il arr