Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-03-11
QUIXARVYN'S RIVAL.

fought and lost Night had com
again. and in the old gray church o
Western Zoyland FIVE hundred OF tn,
beaten rebels lay imprisoned.
A few only kept their resolution
among them two who were sitting to
gether in the shadow OF the pulpit
steps. Both these men had been con
spicuous in the fight and both knew
well that they must die at day-break
The two were silent Quixarvyr
had pulled out short black pipe hat
filled and lighted il and was nov
smoking TRANQUILITY. His companion
had also pulled out something from
his breast-but it was not pipe; il
was the portrait OF a beautiful young
girl He took long look at the
lovely face-a look which said fare
we'll.
Quixarvyn watched him. In tn,
dim light in which they sat he coult
not see the features of the portrait
but he guessed how the case stood.
Poor fellOw!" he said, with more
tenderness than would have been ex
pected from his looks Then, after {
minutes silence. he went on. as much
TO himself as to the other: And ye
my case was harder. l was in love
] am in love. God help me-and also
have her portrait in my breast VIVA,
would l give if could look on 1t a.
you can on yours!"
Dare looked at him with interest.
WHAT" he said have you also the
same trouble-a poor girl who will &c
distracted when she hears what has
happened to youP"
mo-" said the other bitterly, she
will not go distracted; she has had
enough of me. And shall have the
pain of dying unrevenged upon the
knave who robbed me of her."
Quixarvyn drew portrait from his
breast and held it out to his com.
panion.
Look" he said lis this the face
to jilt a manP" though it is one to
drive him crazy. Let me look at
yours-it is not more innocent dare
swear"
The young man took the portrait
and at the same time handed him his
own. Each looked in silence at the
portrait in his hand-in a silence of
. amazement of stupefaction. The two
portraits represented the same per-
son!
Both men sprang to their feet at the
same instant, and stood glazing at
each other. At that moment there
was heard outside the church the
rattle OF q drum.
Only the rattle of drum. But the
sound struck them motioniess as flo.
ures turned to stone. Nor was the
effect on their companions less re-.
markable. There was a moments ST.
lence in the church. deep as the ST.
lence OF the dead; then a movement
. long thrill of horror. The summons
meant that day was breaking and
that their hour was come.
The guards set instantly TO work to
prepare the first batch of prisoners to
be led out OF the church. Dare and
Quixarvyn were among the first seized.
with about dozen others they were
marched into the open air. The gray
dawn was scarcely giving way to the
first streaks OF sunrise as they passed
out OF the churchyard gates; but the
whole village was wide awake and in
tumult OF excitement; indeed. there
had been little sleep that night Every
window was alive with terror strickon
gazers, US the party of doomed men,
surrounded by band of soldiers, were
hurried through the narrow streets
and out upon the open moor.
At the border OF the moor sat an
officer on horseback, surrounded by n
troop of soldiers. Here the party
halted. aud the guards saluted. The
ofhcer was man of about forty. whose
dandified appearance which wa, as
trim us that of a toy soldier newly
painted. showed oddly in the midst OF
soldiers stained with battle. This
was Lord Feversham-a man in whose
nature vanity callousness and lovc of
pleasure were about equally combined.
His face was gay with pleasant expcc-
tation, as the rebels were drawn I'D
before him.
'Good!" he remarked. These
were all ringleaders were they? Ser
geant John. draw up your firing party
and shoot down every man OF them"
The order was instantly obeyed.
Tho firing party was drawn up; the
prisoners were ranged in line at a few
PAGES distant At one extremity of
the line David Dare and John Quixar-
vyn found themselves once moro side
by side.
An officer who sat on horseback ut
Feversham's right hand observed
them.
Il know those two" he said, point
ing to them with his finger. ..Pity
two such fellows should be done for.
One OF them is the best runner in the
country side and the other the best
rider"
"Fh? WHAT" said Feversham
standing up IN his stirrups. Hold
there a moment sergeant; | spy
chance for gallant sport What say
YOU Major?-a race between these
two across the moor. the one on foot |
the other mounted. viii you back tho
runner!"
The major was man OF some hu-
lie reelected for moment
Agreed" he said, And to insure
that both shall do their best let tho
winner have the promise OF his life"
oa, pppn tho moor about qusr.se !