The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-18
HE GAVE
HIS LIFE TO SAVE HER
Ri OF TER

1t was night in the camp of Maximil-
ians army, and sounds of merriment were
heard upon all sides.
In tent in the inner circle of the camp
sat two officers at rude table, upon
which was marked with lead pencil draft
board, while black and white buttons
served for the "men."
They were prisoners-soldiers in the
service of Juarez captured the day before
but their appearance indicated that they
were not Mexicans.
A love of adventure had caused them to
leave their homes in England and cast
their swords with Juarez to aid in driving
from Mexican soil German emperor.
Capoul Monteith, the light haired Off
GER was young man of wealth and good
family.
Garnet Weston the brown haired, was
a young lawyer of good though poor par
entage. He was fast winning name
when he crossed the path of Mabel Mon
teith, the sister OF Capoul.
One day pretended friend told him
that Mabel was his promised wife, but
that their engagement had not yet been
made public.
Three months later found him cavalry
captain in the army of Benito Juarez,
where in few weeks he was surprised to
be joined by Capoul Monteith, who had
also offered his services to the Mexican
president.
Suddenly heavy tread resounded with
out the tent the sentinel challenged, there
was response, and three of Maximilian's
officers entered, one of whom, was an
American, another Frenchman, the third
Mexican.
Gentlemen, said the American, 1
am sorry to disturb you, but news has
come tonight that Benito Juarez has ex-
ecuted a captain Of our army, and l have
orders to select one Of you and march you
forth to die in retaliation"
"You cannot mean that one of US must
die for an offense against Macmillan by
Juarez?'' said Capoul and Monteith, ris
ing.
''Such are my orders, but know not
which Of you to select. y
''Let the gentlemen play game for the
chance-the loser to die," suggested the
young Frenchman.
"A good idea, monsieur. Gentlemen, I
observe you were playing game of
drafts 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?" asked
Garnet.
"Within the hour.
every WE'LL Capoul, am ready for the
game of life and death. -
II, too, am ready" said Monteith, and
the two friends sat down.
Ten minutes passed, 20, and the game
was won by Capoul.
The second game, too, was won by him.
"Great heaven! Garnet, old fellow,
feel for you from my heart" cried the
winner, the tears starting to his eyes,
Garnet pressed his friends hand as he
said quietly:
II was ever a poor, unlucky dog, Ca
poul; but, my friend when lam 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 farewell for her. Cen
tlemen, l am ready"
Half distracted with grief, Capoul Mon
teith paced his tent, his thoughts whirling
and his brain on fire.
| An hour passed, and the American Off
Ger stood before him.
'Well:" said Capoul
'He is dead
Heaven have mercy upon him!'' groan-
ed the sorrowing friend
! Eyes, Captain Monteith, he is dead, and
! though have seen many men die never
saw one face death with such perfectly
calm indifference as did your friend.
''He gave the order to the platoon to fire
and fell instantly, but ere he died he wrote
this note to you, and the American i'm
perialst handed slip of paper to Capoul,
and turning left the tent.
In Garnet's bold hand was written:
II could have won those two games, but
gave my life away to save you, for
loved Mabel too dearly ever to let her
stead.
II dare tell you this now, for I stand
on the brink OF my open grave. FAREWELL
Three years passed, and one pleasant
evening a horssman was riding slowly
along highway traversing fertile Eng
lish valley.
Three years had added more dignity tc
the face and perhaps saddened it, but 9th
erwise no change had come over Capoul
Monteith's fine features.
Upon his right hand, setting back from
the road, was pretty farmhouse, sur
rounded by fertile fields, and, the sigh,
promising we'll for nights lodging fol
man and BEAST" Capoul turned in at the
white gateway, rode up to the front doo1
and dismounted.
The owner of the house descended thu
steps to greet him, and Capoul Monteitf
stood face to face with Garnet Weston!
'Great heaven, has the grave given w
its dead?" cried Capoul in dismay.
mo, old fellow, you find me flesh ani
blood, ready and willing to give you
hearty welcome to this my home, left mi
by an old bachelor uncle few months
since. But come in. will tell you all.
Around we'll spread table that evening
he heard how Garnet had been carried
forth to be most bunglingly executed, how
a squadron of Juarez's cavalry had ap
peared and frightened off his executioner
ere the first platoon had retired and hov
watchful ranchero had seized him ant
borne him to his ranch, where, afte
months Of suffering, he recovered.
But old fellow, why didsyou not writ
to me?' asked Capoul.
II did write to my old law partner, ant
he said you had moved away, none knew
WHITTIER
"True. Poor Mabel failed in health
and took her to the continent, but "
soon returned. Mabel is contented If no
happy"
"She married.
"She married.? Fiddlesticks! No, sh
never had any idea of marrying any mai
excepting yourself, and you went off t
Mexico and nearly broke her heart. -
Boston Globe