Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-03-30
4 GAME FOR LIFE or DEATH.

Is was night in the camp OF Maxi
milian's army: aud sounds Of merri
ment were heard upon all sides, for
soldiers are ever wont 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 on rude table,
upon which was marked with lead
pencil chess or checker board, white
and black buttons serving for the men
Around the tent were stationed
guards, and both of the officers were
unarmed, while not a weapon Of any
description was visible in their canvass
room. -..
They were prisoners soldiers in the
service OF Juarez, captured the day be-
fore; but their appearance indicated
that they were not Mexieans.
Both men were Of tall, commanding
forms, and OF easy, graceful address
but where one had dark blue eyes,
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
impi ess of noble souls and hearts that
knew no fear.
A love of adventure had led them to
leave their homes ia the north after the
close of the civil war, in which both
had fought bravely, and east their
swords with Juarey, to aid in driving
from Mexican soil German Emperor.
Capoul Monteith, the blonde officer,
was yosng man OF wealth and good
family, New Yorker, and a pet in
society.
Garnet Weston, the brunette was
poor man, a yoapg lawyer in New
York, of good, though poor parentagc.
He was possessed of superior intclli-
gsnce, and was fast winning a name,
when he crossed the path Of Mabel
Montieth, the sister of Capeul Mon
tieth, beauty and al heiress.
So deeply did Garnet love her 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 an heiress, aud so struggled
hard to win fortune and fame in his
profession.
One day, an evil day for Garnet, a
pretended friend told him that Mabel
was his promised wife, but that their
engagement had not yet been made
public.
Like one in a dream Garnet Wes
ton listened, and then in despair de
termned to seek some more stirring
field, where the image Of his lost love
would not be ever before him.
A month later found him a cavalry
captain in the army of Juarez, where d
few weeks later, he was surprised to
be joined by Capoul Montieth, who had
also offered his services to the Mexican
President.
In ali engagement two days before
they were presented to the reader i'll
their tent, they had been captured and
carried into the lines of Macmillan.
That night in camp they we're play
ing game Of checkers, pour passer lie
temps, and Capoul who was an expert
player, was surprised to see how easily
he was beaten by Garnet.
Suddenly there was n heavy tread
without, the sentinel challenged, there
was a response, and the next instant
three of Maximllian's officers entered
the tent, one of whom was an Ameri.
eau, a Republican fighting for inperi-
al Mexico, against the Republic am
other was fleshy looking Frenchman
tho third was Mexican Colonel.
'tGentlemen, / am sorry to disturb
YOU, but news comes to night til a
Juarez has executed captain Of oul
army, and have orders to select one
Of you, aud march you forth to die in
retaliation and the American I'm
perialist looked sadly over the duty he
had to perform.
s'You do not mean that one of u
p,ust die for an offense against Maxi
milan by Jnarez ?" said Capoul Mon
tieth, rising.
aEven SO are my orders sir, but
know not which to select, for my dnt.
! is most painful.