The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-24
-:- OUR DAILY SHORT STORY :.

two sat blowing rings. Glynde looked his friend up and down curiously, and thought with a certain pride, what a ! good looking, clean-limbed chap he was. He could well imagine what a poor chance he would stand against a man with Teddy's kind Of nosc eyes and hair. Then, too, he was so rip pingly sunburnt. and he had always heard--he understood none of the l Idosyncrasies of girls himself--thar 1unburn went a long way. He sud ienly caught Hiigay's calculating eye. , and blushed.
 1 And then Teddy ran over Jack. Not dogs chance against a man like Jack" thought Hilgay. Look at that nose, those eyes and that hair l and the way he tans is simply in- mense. By gad, too, I never noticed before what Rwfuily decent hands and feet he's got"
 Thus both men sat, running up a long list of tho others qualifications which each considered he did not possess.
 "who is to propose hrst?" said Glynde abruptly.
 Spin coln," said Hilgay
 Giynde laughed. What! Even in this case?'
 Why not? We've always done it hitherto"
 'very well, old man. And if you win the toss. I wish you all the luck know you'd wish me-"
 ~ Thanks" said Hilgay.
 They got up. Their healthy faces wore extremely cheerful expressions, expressions of sporting keenness, hon esty, and a desire to do their level best.
 A man called carbis came in wear ing evening dress and a bashfuI grin ad .uA Aas. srrFkE T at Christ church with Hilgay. They both disliked him intensely. For all that, he was very decent chap, play ed tennis with the best of them, and sang songs like an, angel with sense of humor.
 Halo. you chaps"
 'Hallo." said Glynde and Hilgay to- gether.
 Jolly night. isn't it?''
 Jolly" said Glynde
 Very jolly" said Hilgay
 You two chaps look jolly. too" Carbis grinned at them so widely and unaffectedIy that 1t was almost pos sible for them to see his heart
 We feel jolly" said Glynde.
 Very jolly" said Higay
 InstinctiveIy they both made move towards the door.
 Carbis began to tweak his fingers nervously although the beam was stfIl on his face. T say" he said. "you fellows. you might give me a minute if you haven't anything better to do. VIII you, please?"
 Glynde and Hilgay turned back.
 After all he had been to Eton with Glynde and Cambridge with Hilgay, Besides, he sang a jolly good song. They returned his grin with some cor diaity
 Then Carbis became Mustered. "Er- Tm-Tm intensely happy, and as you chaps have always been my idea of men, and I've always liked you both extremely. I should. very much like you to be the first toto know why Pm-Pm intensely happy-er-and to drink me good luck, and that kind of thing. Will you. please?"
 Rather, old man." said Glynde | heartily
 q should think we could. Carbis, old boy" said Hilgay.
 You will? Oh. now come. that's l nice of you both. I'm going to be mar ried The day was fixed tonight. | Shes really and truly-the only girl in | the world
 Glynde And Hjlgay exchanged glanees of sympathetic amusement
 just thought perhaps you'd be | good enough to wish me happiness and i long life, don"t you know. It's a iolly |
 
 known you two-frst one and then the | other-for the best part of my life, so | far"
 They waited for Carbls with uplifted | glasses. Carbis cleared his throat and | steadied the culver in his voice.
 ITO the lady who is to honor me bv 1 being my wife. Her name is Enid | Allerton."
 
 Long after Carbis had hurried away. | hot and happy, Glynde and Hilgay | stood silently looking into their | glasses. The waiter twice came in to clear them away. It was on the stroke | of 12, and he was keen on nothing but | bed. They called up two hansoms.
 Jack said Hilgay.
 "Hullo." said Glynde.
 This is the first time you and I are 1 not going to be pitted against each | other, after aii'
 ''No. and it's the first game you and | I have ever drawn" They shook hands solemniy, and | without another word got into their | respective hansoms.
 In Glynde's heart there was a feeling | of great compassion for HiIgay, and in Hilgay's feeling of great compassion for Glynde.