“Oh! there is no need of Major’s carrying double,” said Dora hastily.  “Seth can spare Sally as well as not, and Kitty can ride her better than she can Max.”

At this decision, Kitty looked a little vexed, and Karl a little discomfited; while Mr. Brown bent over his plate to hide a sudden gleam of humor in his dark eyes.  As they all rose from table, Karl passed close to his cousin, and whispered,—­

“I want to speak to you before we go.”

Dora made no answer; nor, in the busy hour before they started, could her cousin find opportunity for a single private word.  Nor was he more successful in the bold push made by him, so soon as they had started, for the place beside Dora; for she, thinking just then of some important communication for Kitty’s ear, reined her pony close to that younger lady’s, and good-humoredly desired him to ride on out of earshot.  Karl obeyed the mandate with something less than his usual amiability, and was riding on in advance of the whole party, when he found himself detained by Mr. Brown, who asked some trifling, question about the road, and then attempted a conversation upon the crops and other ordinary topics for a few moments; until, unable to contend with the indifference, if not impatience, Karl was at no trouble to conceal, he remained silent for a moment, and then said abruptly,—­

“Windsor, this is not soldierly or manly.”

Karl looked at him, but made no reply.

“We both know what is in the other’s mind,” continued Mr. Brown, and we know that we cannot both succeed; but that is no reason for ill feeling toward each other.  If we were Don Quixotes, we might fight; if we were gamesters, we might throw for the first chance:  but as we are, I trust, Christian gentlemen, we owe each other every kindly feeling short of a wish for success.”

“Yes:  you can hardly expect that of me; and I’m sure I don’t of you,” said Karl, half laughing.

“No:  that were inconsistent with a true earnestness of purpose,” said Mr. Brown.  “And, after all, the girl we both love is no such weakling as to accept a man simply because he asks her.  She will decide between us fairly and justly.”

“Then let me have the first chance, since you think it no advantage,” said Karl impetuously.

Mr. Brown smiled grimly.

“Is there not some proverb about age before merit?” asked he.  “Besides, you have had more than four years to ask your question in, and can very well wait a few hours longer.  I came to Iowa on purpose to ask mine, and shall go away to-morrow.”

“I don’t see, sir, but you saints are just as obstinate in getting what you want as we sinners,” said the younger man petulantly.

The chaplain laughed outright.

“A man at thirty has seldom subdued his worldly passions and intentions to the degree of sainthood,” said he.  “And I will not deny that my heart is very much engaged in this matter.  However, I will be generous, and you may take your chance first.”