Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-01-07
Selected gistellanv.
A GAME FOR LIFE AND DEATH.


1t was night in the camp of Maximil-
lan's army, and sounds of merriment
were heard upon all sides, for soldiers
are wont to indulge in pleasure, regard
less Of what the morrow will bring forth.
In tent in the inner circle of the
camp sat two officers at a rude table,
upon which was marked with lead pen
Gil chess, or checker board, while black
and white buttons served for the "men. :"
Around the tent were stationed guards
and both of the officers were unarmed,
while not weapon of any description
was visible in their canvass room.
They were prisoners soldiers in the
service of Jaurez, captnred the day be-
fore; but their appearance indicated
that they were not Mexicans.
But 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 inn
press of noble souls and hearts that knew
no fear.
A love of adventure had caused them
to leave their homes in the north, after
the close of the civil war, in which both
had fought bravcly, and cast their swords
with Jaurez, to aid in driving from
Mexican soil German emperor.
Capoul Monteith, the blonde officer,
was young man of wealth and good
family, New Yorker, and pet in So
ciety.
Garnet Weston, the brunette, was
a poor man, young lawyer in New
York, of good, though poor parentage.
He was possessed of superior intelligence,
and was fast winning name, when he
crossed the path of Mable Monteith, the
sister of Capoul, and beauty aud an
heiress.
So deeply did Garnet love Mabel that
he was miserable when not in her pres
ence, and he believed she cared for him !;
but his pride was great, and he would
not offer pauper hand to belle and
so struggled hard to win fame and for
tune in bis profession.
One day, an evil day for Garnet, a
pretended friend told him that Mabel
was bis promised wife, but that their en-
gagement bad not yet been made public.
Like one in q dream Garnet Weston
listened, and then in despair determined
to seek some more stirring field, where
the image of his lost love would not be
ever before him.
a month later found him cavalry
captain in the army of Benito Jaurez,
where, few weeks later, he was sur
prised to be joined by Capoul Monteith.
who had also offered his services to the
Mexican President.
In an engagement, two days before
they are presented to the reader in their
tent. they had been captured and car
ried into the lines Of Macmillan.
That night in camp they were playing
a game of checkers, pour passer lc temps,
and Capoul, who was an expert player,
was surprised to see how readily he was
beaten by Garnet.
Suddenly a heavy tread rcsounded
without, the sentinel challenged, there
was response, and the next instant
three of Maxinilian's officers entered the
tent, one of whom was an American
Republican fighting for Imperial Mex
leo, against the Republican another was
fashy looking Frenclman the third
was a Mexican colonel.
tGentlemen, | am sorry to disturb
you but news has come tonight that
Benito Jaurez has executed captain Of
our army. and march you forth to die
in retaliation" and the duty he had to
perform.
'You cannot mean that one of us
must die for an offence against Maximil-
ian by Jaurez," said Capoul Montcith,
rising.
even so are my orders. sir; but
know not which to select, for my duty
is most painful"
LET the gentlemen play game for
the choice--tbe loser to die" suggested
the young Frenchman.
"A good idea, monsieur. Gentle
men, | observed YOU were playing
game of checkers when we entered, so
set to work and play three games, the
one who wins two of them to escape. the
other to die"
when is this execution TO be p
asked Garnet Weston.
within the hour, sir"
Very well Capoul, 1 am ready for
the game of life and death"
Capoul Monteith paced to and fro
across the tent with quick, nervous
Strides; he was young, '-~''~ us,
sessed Of vast wealth. a, BOUiC BROS.