Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-03-30
I.et the gentlemen play game fol

I
l observe you were playing a game OF
checkers when we entered, so set to
work and play three games, the one
who wins two of them to escape and
| the other one to die
"When is this execution to be?
asked Garnet Weston.
| ''W thin an hour sir.
"Very well; Capoul, am ready for
the game of life and death"
Capoul Monteith paced to and fro in
the tent with quick nervous. strides; he
was yonng, handsome, possessed of
vast wealth, fond Of life, and he cared
| not to be shot down like dog but he
| was a brave man, and thought ct Cars
net Weston, whom he always admired,
and half wished to be the loser, rather
than SEQ his friend die.
81 am ready" he at length said, and
the two young friends, strangers IN
strange land, set down To play the
game for life and death.
Capoul Afontieth played with the
utmost caution, for, eff one must die,
I have as good right to struggle for
life as has Garnet" he thought.
Garnet Weston played with indiffei-
ence, quiet, sac smile upon his face,
and around them stood tbs 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 Westons face never changed
expression, for the same old smile
rested there.
The second game passed quickly,
Garnet making his move the instant
Capoul had raised his hand, and sur
p1ised all by his reckless indifference,
and cool manner
Five minutes passed, and the second
game was won by Capoui Montieth.
''My God, Garnet, old fellow, feel
for you from the bottom of my heart,''
cried the winner, with tears starting to
his Eyes.
Garnet Weston pressed his friends
hand, the same smile upon his face as
he said quietly:
u was ever poor unlucky deg, Ca
poul but, my friend, when l am dead
look in my ssddle-roll hanging there,
and the papers you find please deliver
to the proper address, snd-Capoul
say to-Aiiss Mabel left farewell for
her"
:Centlemel, ara ready"
Courses on your Imperial humanity!
Will you STAY man as though he were
hound? cried Capoul, angrily, turn
ing towards the officers, for it Gu
him to the heart to part with his
friend
81 yield to the fortunes Of Wal, Ca
poul and these gentlemen but do their
duty"
GONE, let it be over" replied Gar
net. and shaking the hand of his friend
warmly he was marched away.
Half distracted with grief Capoul
Monteith paced bis tent, his thoughts
whirling, and his brain on fire, as be
gazed al the stool where short while
before poor Garnet had sat.
An hour passed, and the American
officer Of the Imperial army stood be-
fore him.
"Well?' said Copoul, hardly daring
to ssk the question.
''He is dead"
"Gcd have mercy upon him." groan
ed the sorrowing friend.
Yes, Captain Montietb, he is dead
and though | have seen many men
die. | never saw one face death with
perfectly calm indifference, as dld your
friend"
Gle gave the order TO the platoon
to fire, and fell instantly but ere he
died he wrote this to you" and the
American lmperialist handed a slip of
paper to Capoul, and turning left the
tent.
In Garnet's bold hand was written:
"CAPoUL -
81 gave my life away to save you
for l loved Mabel too dearly ever to
let her brother die where I could be
sacrificed instead.
81 dare tell you this now, for stand
on the brink Of my open grave.
"Earewell! GARNET.
A bitter night of sorrow passed Ca
poul Monteith in that lonely tent, for
we'll he knew his friend had spoken the
truth, and when months after the star
| of Macmillan crown had set in gloom
and he resigned from the army of the
successful Juarez, he wendell his way
homeward with a heavy heart, for he
could not forget that Mexican soil GOV
cred the noble man who had fallen o
sacrifice to save his life.
| Three years passed away after the