The Press., 1888-10-04
THE RIVALS

us shaka hands and be friends"
 FsFhats 1t
 TAeir hands met in e firm grasp
 9 They looked into each otheTas faces, one with merry twinkle Rn his eye and a broad smile over his 5ovial features; the other with glance long drawn out, grave and solemn that seemed to cast shadow of gloom OF everything about the scene.
 "Youu do your best, and I'll do my best That's whaS we've agreed on, ain't it. Zil Tifkfnse"
 ''ThaSs tt, Ben Button, and whichever oi us wins, the other shah bear no Ill will"
 "Justso, Zip"
 "And everything except murder shall be counted fairGn
 EsEhp
 "And murder, too, # you arc willing to kathe consequences
 '+SAy. Zip, hold onf'
 'tSo if I should put you out of my way right here" continued Zip, withoutEs to notice the Interruption, and drawing q small pistol out of hiSsboot leg as he spoke, ''and 1t would never be found out on me, why it would be all right"
 ''But, Zip, say@-
 ''Or if it were found out" Zip stin con tinued, raising the pistol higher and higher till it pointed straight for Ben's breast, "and were willing to take all the risk to get clear which think am ready to do, why that, too. would be all right"
 "Helfo! Ben, where are you going?s shouted Zip, as the former turned and ran down the road at what seemed to be almost b1eakneck speed, frequently casting scared and anxious glapces behind him,
 Ben, however, did not stop to answer, but kept straight ca untA be was7ost4o sight in a bend oe the road, whf1etNfp, bending almost double with laughter, sent peal after peal of nerIimenb ringing out on 6he balmy evening air.
 ''Of all the chickens in elristendem Ben Button takes the wormP cried Zip, broad grin gtil on his face, as be also turned and walked away.
 Zip Pifk1ns, full of life, fun and frolic, had for the last few weeks been playing rival to Ben Button in the affections of Melinda 6praSA Ben was seriously in love with Me ltneia; Mehndais young heart was fond of Zip, and Zip, homeless, careless, fun loving rover that hs was had never thought that reached into the future for an houT.
 Ben and Zip had met in the road accident ally. Ben was on his way to tho Spratt homestead to make further siege to Melinda's heart
 For the last few days Ben had had but one thought, and that was how to get rid of Zip as 8 rival. So, when he met Zip, he pleaded from the funness of his heart and in the most persuasive language he could command that Zip would pslinqulsh all elain to Me Hnda1s heart and hand.
 Zip, In pure fan, feiened hve also, and with wen assumed earnestness trted in turn to prevail upon Ben to wiahdraw from the raes. Neither however, would give in. AS a last resort they finally agreed that each should. in a fair, friendly way. bS permitted to plead his own cause with MS2indA and let her decida
 WtSh zap, so far,.t vas only good joke, and as such hS had mads themos6 of it, as has bean seen.
 Ben BatSon with regularity spepb twoeveu- ngs of the week a$ tho SpSase domici1e. Wih Melinda he made very slowS If any, progresA4nto favor; with Mrs. apratt, how eyer. he won golden opiRbehs and stood in high grace.
 Since Che eonpactbesweenBe Benand Zip the latter had visited Melinda but once, aRd then she had, in g very shy and sweet way, teas tpe4y upbEa4ded him for haveng tded to take tAe.lns of her constant adnltrec, Beu Button.
 "And would it break your heart, Melinda, if he were to dieg" asked 2dp, with an eager undePtone in his voice, watching her face closely.
 ':Tt twoufd-aimost-of course, h-but, Zip, you have no right to ask such questions" she answered, looking up shyly and blushfng.
 "WeN, you needn't be uneasy Aeout him. wouldnA huDt Ben Button bY single G1eugbt or wogd, much Less take his life" :" re- piled Zip, with an earEestness unusual with him.
 T was only joking, Zip. But you seem to be awfplly in earnest and solemn this even- ing. What is aihng you, any wayF'
 T hoU do mtnd to go away," answered Zip, looking aside.
 '+Go awaYY'
 ''Xes, Melinda"
 'eVghere are you gofngp
 Anywhere. It makes no difference, 30 [ getaway"
 'FAnd ain't you coming backg'
 ''some day, maybe, f ever I get to be of any account to myself H anybody else"
 "You gre of serne account now, Zip, arsl you had better stay right where you ares"
 "Ne; Eve made Np nay mind to go and anasaare it is the best thing that could hap. pen for us all around, % I'll stick to 1t, |" said Zip resoZuteay.
 Melinda was looking cut Of the window, Whan she saw nan coming up the lane, to- ward the house and recognized in the comep Ben Button, shade of annoyance fitted over her 3aee
 Zip had been watching Melinda, and when he saw the slight frown on her face be, too, glanced out. and. seeing who was coming, he rose to his feet ready to depart, saying, "IN cau h again before leave and tell you all goodrhy. Good evening"
 Melinda glanced repFoachfully after the petReahng Kip. There was @ suspicion of tears in her eyes and HeGae q1iver around her mouth, as she murnsa1red to herself, eeRoel Eipi he is going away because he thinks ana going to marry that hateful Ben Button and he is Jealous. But [ can't make him see and I won't asas him to Stay. pndle first. Thsrep
 The truth was that 2 aer4ous thought had at lastcome to Kip HS pae fu love, and he knew it. Re had looked a8 himself as in a looking glass and found 0ut his own worth lessness. More than that, he had determined to go away, change his habits and shiftless- pess, and become use&uI man and citizen He ewouM not ask Melinda for her love until he had made himself worthy o6 ih If, how ever, in the meantime some other man-Ben Button, perhaps-stepped fn ahead of him. why, he would still be the gaineg by an am- bftion for higher things which, in an indi- rect way, would be e gift from Melinda.
 That evening Ben Button asked Melinda to become his wife; but she was in no hnmor to answer him then, foY Hip'S foolish determina- ton to go away troubled hsr in no small de- gree. She knew, too, tha4 her mother 1a- vored Ben above any one else, and that sha would be gTieved if Ben received ourt pa. fusal, % she told hlm sAe would have an anp Swer ready 1or him when ho should call