FullReads

“Well,” said Halibut, stopping.

The man’s manner was suspicious, not to say offensive, and the other had much ado to speak him fair.

“This is ridiculous,” he said, trying to smile. “We can’t walk in and propose in a duet. One of us must go to-day and the other to-morrow.”

“Certainly,” said Halibut; “that’ll be the best plan.”

“So childish,” said the Major, with a careless laugh, “two fellows walking in hot and tired and proposing to her.”

“Absurd,” replied Halibut, and both men eyed each other carefully.

“So, if I’m unsuccessful, old chap,” said the Major, in a voice which he strove to render natural and easy, “I will come straight back to your place and let you know, so as not to keep you in suspense.”

“You’re very good,” said Halibut, with some emotion; “but I think I’ll take to-day, because I have every reason to believe that I have got one of my bilious attacks coming on to-morrow.”

“Pooh! fancy, my dear fellow,” said the Major, heartily; “I never saw you look better in my life.”

“That’s one of the chief signs,” replied Halibut, shaking his head. “I’m afraid I must go to-day.”

“I really cannot waive my right on account of your bilious attack,” said the Major haughtily.

“Your right?” said Halibut, with spirit.

“My right!” repeated the other. “I should have been there before you if you had not stopped me in the first place.”

“But I started first,” said Halibut.

“Prove it,” exclaimed the Major, warmly.

The other shrugged his shoulders.

“I shall certainly not give way,” he said, calmly. “This is a matter in which my whole future is concerned. It seems very odd, not to say inconvenient, that you should have chosen the same day as myself, Brill, for such an errand–very odd.”

“It’s quite an accident,” asseverated the Major; “as a matter of fact, Halibut, I nearly went yesterday. That alone gives me, I think, some claim to precedence.”

“Just so,” said Halibut, slowly; “it constitutes an excellent claim.”

The Major regarded him with moistening eyes. This was generous and noble. His opinion of Halibut rose. “And now you have been so frank with me,” said the latter, “it is only fair that you should know I started out with the same intention three days ago and found her out. So far as claims go, I think mine leads.”

“Pure matter of opinion,” said the disgusted Major; “it really seems as though we want an arbitrator. Well, we’ll have to make our call together, I suppose, but I’ll take care not to give you any opportunity, Halibut, so don’t cherish any delusions on that point. Even you wouldn’t have the hardihood to propose before a third party, I should think; but if you do, I give you fair warning that I shall begin, too.”

“This is most unseemly,” said Halibut. “We’d better both go home and leave it for another day.”

“When do you propose going, then?” asked the Major.

“Really, I haven’t made up my mind,” replied the other.

The Major shrugged his shoulders.

“It won’t do, Halibut,” he said, grimly; “it won’t do. I’m too old a soldier to be caught that way.”

There was a long pause. The Major mopped his brow again. “I’ve got it,” he said at last.

Halibut looked at him curiously.

“We must play for first proposal,” said the Major, firmly. “We’re pretty evenly matched.”

“Chess?” gasped the other, a whole world of protest in his tones.

“Chess,” repeated the Major.

“It is hardly respectful,” demurred Halibut. “What do you think the lady would do if she heard of it?”

“Laugh,” replied the Major, with conviction.

“I believe she would,” said the other, brightening. “I believe she would.”

“You agree, then?”

“With conditions.”

“Conditions?” repeated the Major.

“One game,” said Halibut, speaking very slowly and distinctly; “and if the winner is refused, the loser not to propose until he gives him permission.”

“What the deuce for?” inquired the other, suspiciously.

“Suppose I win,” replied Halibut, with suspicious glibness, “and was so upset that I had one of my bilious attacks come on, where should I be? Why, I might have to break off in the middle and go home. A fellow can’t propose when everything in the room is going round and round.”