The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-02-03
the choice-the loser to die,v suggest


"a good idea, monsieur. Gentle
men, | observe you were playing q
game of checkers when we enter, j so
set to work and play three games, III.
one who wins two of them to escape.
the other 10 die" a4a4
"When is this execution 10 be 2" ask :
ed Garnet Weston.
Within the hour, sir
Every well Capoul, am ready for
the game of life and death.'' af
Capoul Monteith paced to and fro
in the tent with quick nervous strides /;
he was young, handsome, possessed OF
vast wealth, and be cared not to be
thus shot down like dog but he was
brave man, and thought OF Camel
Weston, whom he had always admired
and half wished to be the loser rather
than see his friend die. .-
81 am ready" he at length said, and
the two young friends, strangers in q
strange land, sat down to play the
game for life aud death. Capoul
Monteith played with the utmost eau
ton, for, If one must die. L have as
good right to struggle for life as has
Garnet he thought. HF ...ws
Garnet Weston played with indiffer-
ence, quiet, sad smile upon his face,
and around them stood the three off,
cera, and the platoon that were to be
the executieners Of the losing one.
Ten minutes passed away, twenty
and the game was won by Capoul
Montei,h, whose face flushed crimson
and then paled again.
Garnet Weston's face never changed
an expression, for the same cid smile
rested there.
The second game passed quickly,
Garnet making his moves the instant
Capoul had raised his hand, and sur.
prising all by his reckless Indifference
but cool manner. ssr'
Five minutes passed, and the second
game was won by Capoul Monteitb, "a
"My God, Garnet, old fellow, feel
for you from my heart" cried the win
ner, the tears starting from his eyes.
Garnet Weston pressed his friends
hand, the same smile upon his face as
he said quietly: n
81 was ever a poor, unlucky dog.
Capeul: but, my friend, when 1 am
dead look in my saddle roll hanging
there, and the papers you find please
deliver to the proper address, and
and CapOul, say toto Miss Mabel
left a farewell for her." 8
"Gentleman, l am ready" sa
''Curses on your Imperial humanity!
Will you slay man as though he were |
a hound ?" cried Capoul angrily turn
ing toward the officers, for it cut him |
10 the heart to thus part with his
friend.
81 yield 10 the fortunes Of war, Ca
Doyl, and these gentlemen but do their
lMy." aa
"COme, let it be over" replied Gar
let, and shaking the hand OF his friend
he was marched away.
Half distracted with grief Capoul
donteith paced his tent, his thoughts
and his brain on fire, as he
,azed at the stool where few mo-
neuts before poor Garnet had sat.
An hour passed and the American
fiicer of the Imperial army stood be.
ore him. -
"WeIl ?" said Caponl, hardly daring
0 ask the question. sd te
'sHe is dead" aa~E
God have mercy upon him." groan-
the sOrrowing friend. @
"Yes. Captain Monteith, he is dead,
nd though haye seen many men die,
never saw one face death with such
erfectly calm Indifference as did your
lend. lie gave the order to the .
latoon to fire, and fell instantly but
re he died, he wrote this note to you.'
al the American Imperialist handed
slip of paper to Capoul, and turning I
1T the tent. s-ai it4tsf si5a ,s@.t
In Garnet's bold hand was written Q
"CAroUL: / gave my life away to
I'VE you, Tor love Mabel too dearly h
yer to let her bsOther die where / :
ould be sacrificed instead. 3sit !.
l dare tell you this now, for stand :
n the brink of my open grave. Fare q
ell! :. - GARNET" I
A bitter night of sorrow passed Ca. b
oul Monteith in that lonely tent, for /
ell he knew his friend had spoken p
le truth, and when, months after, the
ar of Maximilian's crown had set in
leom, and he resigned from the army
the successful Juarez, he wended
is way hemeward with heavy heart :
II he could not forget that Mexican :.
Dill covered the noble man who had ~
lien sacrifice to save his life. r. $
Three years passed away after the
,me for life or death, and one pleas Q
ut evening, toward the sunset hour
orseman was riding along a highway a
ayersing fertile valley of South u
estern State. P
Three years had added more dignity 9
the face, and perhaps saddened. it; 81
~ othci WiSC ho CHSHSC uau ever
me over Capoul Monteith's fine fea-
res.
Upon his right hand, setting back
ON the road, was pretty little farm u
'use, surrounded by fertile fields, and
'omising well for nights lodging y
+ man and beast, Capoul turned in
the white gateway, and rode up to
e front door and dismounted. ~
The owner Of the mansion descend
the steps to greet him, and Capoui 81
onteith stood face to face with Gar ~
It Weston. SIS
"My God! has the grave given up u
} dead y cried Capoul. in dismay.