THE DEAD HEAT 103 



service, and though only a poor man, yet there are 

 devilish few girls, at least of any taste, who would 

 give him the ' cold shoulder.' " 



The conversation was put an end to by the re- 

 doubtable Captain O'Eooney they were descanting 

 on, and with whom all seemed to be on such bad 

 terms, walking towards them. 



" I will make one endeavour now," said the 

 Colonel, " to put a stop to this match." 



" Captain O'Eooney," said he, as that gentleman 

 joined them, " I am sorry to hear of this proposed 

 steeplechase, and for such a sum. Mr Fortescue is 

 a young man, and has acted very foolishly ; more- 

 over, though he holds the post of adjutant, he has 

 little, I know, but his pay, and such a loss as a 

 thousand pounds would seriously inconvenience him. 

 Let me recommend. Captain O'Eooney, that Fortescue 

 give you a hundred pounds to-morrow morning and 

 draw the bet. What say you, gentlemen all, is the 

 proposal fair ? " 



" Nothing fairer," they exclaimed. 



" See now. Colonel," said Captain O'Eooney, " let 

 us hear what Mr Fortescue says : he is not here ; 

 he'll be found in the ball-room, I'm after thinking." 



" True for ye. Captain dear," said the jolly- 

 looking young Irishman before alluded to. " Divil 

 a bit," he continued, with a sly and malicious 



