Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-10-20
RIVAL LOVERS.
"Now that we understand each other, let
Us shake hands and be friends"

anu eolSHln, tHdI Cast enduoW OF gloom
on everything about the scene.
"You'll do your best, and Fll do my
best. That's what we've agreed on, amt
it, Zip 1ifkins?"
That's it, Ben Button, and whichever
of us wins. the other shall bear no ill-will."
"Just so, Zip"
"And everything except murder shall
be counted fair"
"Eh?"
"And murder, too, if you are willing to
take the consequences"
'Say, Zip, hold on"
$50, if should put YOU out of the wav
right here" continued Zip, without SEEM
ing to notice the interruption, and draw
ing small pistol out of his boot leg as be
spoke, "and it would never be found out
on me, why, it would be all right"
"But, Zip, say"
"Or if it were found out" Zip still con-
tinued, raising the pistol higher and higher
tillit pointed straight for Ben's breast, "and
| were willin to take all the risk to get
clear, which thing 1 am ready to do, why
that, too, would be all right"
Hello, Ben where are you going ?7
shouted Zip, as the former turned and ran
down the road at what seemed to be al
most breakneck speed, frequently casting
scared and anxious glances behind him.
Ben, however, did not stop to answer.
but kept straight on until he was lost to
sight in bend in the road, while Zip.
bending almost double with laughter, sent
peal after peal of merrimeut ringing out
on the balmy evening air.
"Of all the chickens in Christendom,
Ben Button takes the worm p' cried Zip, a
broad grin still on his face, as he also
turned and walked away
Zip Tifkins, full of life fun and frolic,
had for the lastfew week been playing rival
to Ben Button in the affections of Melinda
Pratt. Ben was seriously in love with Me-
linda; Melinda's young heart was fond of
Zip, and Zip, homeless, careless, fum-loving
rover that he was, had never thought
that reached into the future for an hour
Ben and Zip had met in the road acci-
dentally. Ben was on his way to the
Pratt homestead to lay 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 rival. So, when he met Zip
he pleaded from the fullness of his heart,
and in the most persuasive language he
could command, that Zip would relin-
quish all claim to Melinda's heart and
hand.
Zip, in pure fun, feigned love also, and
with well-assumed earnestness tried in
turn to prevail upon Ben to withdraw
from the race. Neither, however, would
give in. As last resort they finally
agreed that each should, in fair and
friendly way, be permitted to plead his
own cause with Melinda, and let her de-
eide.
With Zip so far it was only good joke,
and as such he had made the most of it,
as has been seen.
Ben Button, with regularity, spent two
evenings of the week at the Pratt domicile.
With Melinda he made very slow, if any
progress into favor; with Mrs. Pratt, how
ever, he won golden opinions and stood
high in grace.
Since the compact between Ben and Zip
the latter had visited Melinda but once,
and then she had, in a very shy and sweet
way, upbraided him for having tried to
take the life Of her constant admirer, Ben
Button.
u,
linda, if he were to die" asked ZIP, with
an eager undertone in his voice, watching
her face closely.
ut would-almost-of course, if-but,
Zip, you have no right to ask such ques-
tions," she answered, looking up shyly and
blushing.
"Well, you needn't be uneasy about him.
l wouldn't hurt Ben Button by single
thought or word, much less take his life"
replied Zip. with an earnestness unusual
with him.
81 was only joking, Zip. But you seem
to be awfully in earnest and solemn this
evening. What is ailing you, anyway? ?"
Nothing much, only | have made up
my mind to go away" answered Zip, look
ing aside.
"Go away? ?"
ayes, Melinda"
"Where are you going !"
Anywhere 1t makes no difference, so
get away"
"And amt you coming back ?''
"Some day, maybe, if l ever get to be
of any account to myself or anybody else"
You are of some account now, Zip, and
you had better stay right where you aren
enc; Pve made up my mind TO 60 and
am sure it is the best thing that could
happen for us all around, so Pll stick to
it," said Zip, resoluteiy.
Melinda was looking out of the window.
When she saw man coming up the
lane toward the house, and recognized in
the conner Ben Button, a shadow of annoy
ance fitted over her face.
Zip had been watching Melinda, and
when he saw the slight frown on her face
he, too, glanced out, and seeing who was
coming he rose to his feet ready to de-
part, saying, "rll call in again before i
leave, and tell you all good-by. Good
evening"
Melinda glanced reproachfully after the
retreating Zip. There was suspicion of
tears in her eyes and little quiyer around
her mouth as she murmured to herself
Fool, Zipl He is going away because he
thinks l am going 20 marry that hateful
Ben Button, and is Jealous. But can't
make him see, and won't ask him to see.
I'll die first There"
The truth was that serious thought had
at last come to Zip. He was In love, and
he knew it. He had looked at himself as
in looking-glass and found out his own
wor1hlessness- More than that, he had de-
terniined to go away, change his habits of
shiftlsssness and become useful man and
citizen. He would not ask Melinda for
her love until he had made himself worthy
of it. If, however, in the meantime some
other men-Ben Button, perhaps-stepped
in ahead of him, why, he would still be
gamer by 90 ambition for higher things
which, in an indirect way, would be gift
from Melinda. That evening Ben Button
asked Melinda to become his wife, but she
was in no mood to answer him then, for
Zip's foolish determination to go away
troubled her in no small degree. She
knew, too, that her mother favored Ben
above any QUE else, and that she would be
grieved if Ben received a curt refusal, SO
he told him she would have an answer
eady for him when he should call again.