Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-24
THE RIVALS.

snow that We understand each otner, let
as shake hands and be friends
That's tn
Their hands met in firm grasp.
They looked into each others faces, one
with merry twinkle in his eye and broad
emile over his jovial features; the other with
q glance long drawn out, grave and solemn,
that seemed to cast shadow Of gloom on
everything about the scene.
You'll do your best, ard I'll do my best
That's what we've agreed on, amt it, Zip
Tifkinsr'
That's 1t, 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 fairf"
"Ehr
And murder, too, if you are willing to
take the consequences"
Say, Zip, hold on!'
80 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,
land il would never be found out on ne, why
It would be all right"
But, Zip, say
s'Or if it were found out" Zip still con-
sinued, raising the pistol higher and higher
till it pointed straight for Bens breast, ''and
were willing TO take all the risk to get clear
which think am ready to do, why that,
zoo, would be ell right"
''Hellol Ben, where are you goingp shouted
Zip, as the former turned and ran down the
road at what seemed to be almost breakneck
speed, frequently casting scared and anxious
klances behind him.
Ben, however, did not stop to answer, but
Kept straight on until be was lost to sight in a
bend Of the road, while Zip, bending almost
souble with laughter, sent peal after peal of
herriment ringing out on the balmy evening
lir.
''Of all the chickens in christendom Ben
Button takes the wor1nI" cried Zip, a broad
grin still on his face, as he 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 tho affections Of Melinda
Spratt. Ben was seriously III love with Ne
linda; Melinda's young heart was fond of
Zip, and Zap, homeless, careless, fun loving
rover that he was, had never thought that
reached into the future for an hour.
Ben and Zip had met in the road accident
slly Ben was on his way TO the 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 a rival So, when he met Zip, he pleaded
from the fullness of his heart and in the
most persuasive languagehe could command
that Zip would relinquish all claim to Me-
linda'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
q last resort they finally agreed that each
should, in fair, friendly way, be permitted
TO plead his own cause with Melinda and let
her decide.
With Zip, 50 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 even
ings of the week at the Spratt donicile.
With Melinda he made very slow, if any,
progress into favor; with Mrs. Spratt how
ever, he won golden opinions and stood in
high grace.
Since the compact between Ben end Zip the
latter had visited Melinda but once, and then
she had, in a very shy and sweet way, teas
Ingly upbraided him for having tried to take
the life of her constant adnirer, Ben Button.
''And would it break your heart, Melinda,
if he were to die?" asked Zip, with an 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 be uneasy about him.
l wouldn't hurt Ben Button by 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 wayF'
Nothing much, only / have made up nv
mind to go away" answered Zip, looking
aside.
''Go awayF'
''YeS, Melinda"
''Where are you goingT
Anywhere. 1t makes no difference, so
get away"
And amt you coming backf'
''Soms day, maybe, If ever get to DO Of
any account to myself or anybody else"
you arc of some account now, Zip, and
Scu had better stay right where you are"
L
am sure it is the best thing that could hap
pen for us oil around, so I'll stick to it," said
Zip resolutely.
Melinda was looking out of the window.
When she saw a man coming up the lane to-
ward the house and recognized in the conner
Ben Button, a shade Of annoyance fitted
over her face.
Zip had been watching Melinda, and when
be saw the slight frown on her face he, too,
glanced out, and, seeing who was coming, he
roso to his feet ready 10 depart, saying, IN
call in again before leave and tell you all
good-by. Good evening"
Melinda glanced reproachfully after the
retreatins Zip. There was a suspicion Of
tears in her eyes and little quiver around
her mouth, as she murmured to herself,
Fool Zipi he is going away because he |
thinks am going to marry that hateful Ben !
Button and he is jealous. But I cant make |
him see and I won't ask him to stay. I'll die /
first Thereof
The truth was that a serious thought had /
at last come to Zip. He was IN love, and be /
knew it BE had looked at himself as in /
looking glass and found out his own worth /
leSSuesS More than that, lie had determined .
TO so away, change his habits and shifrleSs- /
ness, and become useful man and citizen I
He would not ask Melinda for her love until |
he had made himself worthy of it If, how.
ever, in the meantime some other ulan-Ben /
Button, pcrhGps-stepped il ahead Of him,
why, be would still be the gamer by TN am
bition for higher things which, in en- indi-
rect way, would be . gift from Melinda
That evening Ben Button asked Melinda tc
become his wife; but she was in no hurnor tc
answer him then, for Zip's foolish determine