San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-09-26

That's what we've agreed on, amt it, Zip
Tifkinsf"
THAT'S it, Ben Button, and whichever of
us wins, the other shall bear no i'll will"
"Just so, Zip"
"And everything except murder shall be
counted fairr'
"EhF'
sand murder, too, if you are willing to
take the consequences"
Say, Zip, hold onI"
$50 if l should put you out of my way
right here" continued Zip, without seeming
to notice the interruption, and drawing a
small pistol out Of his boot leg as he spoke,
it would be all right"
"But, Zip, say"-
"Or if it were found out" Zip still con-
Hnued, raising the pistol higher and higher
till it pointed straight for Ben's breast, land
were willing to take all the risk to get clear
which think am ready to do, why that,
too, would be all right
"Hellol Ben, where. are you goingT shouted
Zip, as the former turned and ran down the
road at what seemed to be almost 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 of the road, while Zip, bending almost
double with laughter, sent peal after peal Of
merriment ringing out on the balmy evening
air.
"Of all the chickens TN christendom Ben
Button takes the worm!" cried Zip, broad
grinAstill on his face, as be also turned and
walked away.
Zip Pifkins, full of life, fun and frolic, had
for the last few weeks been playing rival to
Ben Button in the affections Of Melinda
Spratt. Ben was seriously in love with Ne
linda; Melinda's young heart was fond Of
Zip, and ZIP, homeless, careless, fun loving
rover that he was, had never a thought that
reached into the future for an hour.
Ben and Zip had met in the road accident
ally. Ben was on his way to the Spratt
homestead to make further siege to Melindas
heart.
For the last few days Ben had had but one
thought, and that was how to get rid Of Zip
as a rival So, when he met Zip, he pleaded
from the fulness of his heart and in the
most persuasive language he could command
chat Zip would relinquish all claim to Me-
lnda's heart and hand.
Zip, in pure fun, feigned love also, and
with we'll assumed earnestness tried in turn
to prevail upon Ben to withdraw from the
race Neither however, would give in. AS
a last resort they finally agreed that each
should, in a fair, friendly way. be permitted
to plead his own cause with Melinda and let
her decide.
With Zip, 80 far, it was only good joke,
andlas such he had made the most Of it, as
has been seen.
Ben Button with regularity spent two even
inGs of the week at the Spratt domicile.
With Melinda he made very slow, if any,
progress into favor; with Mrs. Spratt, how
ever, be won golden opinions and stood in
high grace
Since the compact between Ben and Zip the
latter had visited Melinda but once, and then
she had, i'll a very shy and sweet way, teas
ingly upbraided him for having tried to take
the life OF her constant admirer, Ben Button.
And would it break your heart, Melinda,
if he were to die!" asked Zip, with all eager
undertone in his voice, watching her face
closely.
1T would-almost-of course, if-but, Zip,
you have no right to ask such questions she
answered, looking up shyly and blushing.
well, you needn't DO uneasy about him.
| wouldn't hurt Ben Button by a single
thought or word, much less take his life" re-
piled Zip, with an earrestness unusual with
him.
IL was only joking, Zip. But You seem to
be awfully in earnest and solemn this even
ing. What is ailing you, any wayw
''Nothing much, only have made up my
mind to go away" answered Zip, looking
aside.
go awayr
"Yes, Melinda"
"Where arc you goiugT'
Anywhere 1t makes no difference, so I
get away"
"AId amt you coming back"
Some day. maybe, if ever get to be of
any account to myself or anybody else"
'You arc of some account now, Zip, and
you had hetter stay right where you are"
No; pvc made up my mind to go and
unl sure il is the best thing that could hap
ncn for us all around, so III stick to it," said
Zip reSOluteiy
Melinda was looking out of the window.
" h, n she saw a man coming up the lane to-
ward the house and recognized in the conner
Ben Button, shade of annoyance 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 depart, saying, I'm
call in again before l leave and tell you all
good-by. Good evening"
Melinda glanced reproachfully after the
retreating Zip. There was a suspicion of
tears in her eyes and little culver around
her mouth, as she murmured to herself,
Fool Zipl he is going away because he
thinks am going to marry that hateful Ben
Button and he is jealous But | can't make
L. LIZ, ,no [ ,Ionlt nSlr him To SHau I'LL die