Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-11-06

A GAME FOR LIFE.

millan's army, and sounds Of msrri-
ment were heard upon all sides.
In q tent In the inner circle Of the
camp sat two Officers At . rude table,
upon which WIS marked with lead
pencil q draughtboard, while black and
white buttons served for the men,"
They were prisoners-soldiers In thu
service Of Juarez, captured the day be-
fore-but their appearance indicated
that they were not ksxicans.
Capoul Monteith. the light haired
ofacer, was . young man Of wealth and
good family.
Garnet Weston, the brown haired.
was . young lawyer Of good though
poor parentags. He was fast winning
a name when he crossed the path Of
Mabel Monteith, the sister Of Capoul.
One day a 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 a cav.
airy captain In the army Of Benito
Juarez, where In q few weeks he was
surprised to be Joined by Capoul Mon.
teith, who had also offered his services
to the Mexican president.
Suddenly a heavy tread resounded
without the tent, the sentinel challeng-
ed, there was q response, and three Of
Maximilian's officers entered, one OF
whom was an American. another q
Frenchman, the third a Mexican.
Gentlemen" said the American, II
am sorry to disturb you, but news has
come tonight that Benito Juarez has
executed a captain Of our army, and !
have orders to select one Of you, and
march you forth 70 die In retaliation"
"You cannot mean that one Of 10
must die for an offence against Maxi.
milan by Juarez?" said Capoul and
Monteith, rising.
Such are my orders. but l know not
which Of you to select"
Let the gentlemen play a game Tor
the chance, the loser to die" suggested
the young Frenchman.
The two friends sat down. Ten
minutes passed, twenty, and the game
was won by Capoul.
The second game, too, was won BY
him.
Great heaven! Garrett old fellow,
feel for you from my heart!" cried
the winner, tho tears starting to his
eyes.
Garnet pressed his friends hand az
he said quietly
Il was ever Q poor, unlucky dog, Ca
poul; but, my friend, when l am dead,
look in my saddle roll, hanging there.
and the papers you find please deliver
to the proper address, and-and-Ca-
poul, say toto Miss Mabel l left .
farewell for her. Gentlemen, I am
ready"
An hour passed, and the American
officer stood before him.
"Well?" said Capoul.
HE Is dead"
Heaven have mercy upon him!"
groaned the Borrowing friend.
Eyes, Captain Monteith, he is dead,
and, though l have seen many men
die, l 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"
In Garnet's bold hand was writteni-
II could have won those two games,
but I gave my life away to save you,
for ! loved Mabel too dearly ever to
lot her brother die where | could DO
sacrificed instead. l dare tell you this
now, for l stand on the brink OF my
open grave. FAREWELL"
Three years passed, and one pleasant
evening a horseman was riding slowly
along a highway traversing a fertile
English valley,
Three years had added more dignity
to the face and perhaps saddened it,
but otherwise no change had come over
Capoul Monteith's fine features.
Upon his right hand, setting back
from the road, was a pretty farmhouse,
surrounded by fertile fields, and, the
sight promising we'll for Z nights
lodging for man and beast" Capoul
turned in at the white gateway, rode
up to the front door and dismounted.
The owner OF the house descended
the steps to greet him, and Capoul
Monteith stood face to face with Garnet
Weston!
Great heaven, has tho grave given
Up its dead?" cried Capoul In dismay.
mo, old fellow! You find me flesh
and blood, ready and willing to give
you a hearty welcome to this my home,
left me by AID old bachelor uncle a
few months since. But come In. !
will tell you all.
Around a well spread table that ev-
enlng he heard how Garnet had been
carried forth to be most b~unglingly ex.
ecuted, how a squadron of Juarez's
cavalry had appeared and frightened