The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-08-22
THE RIVALS.

that seemed to cast shadow Of gloom on
everything about the scene
you'll do your best, and I'll do my best
That's what we've agreed on, amt it, Zip
Tifkinsf'
CHATS 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 fair7n
"Eh2u
"And murder, too, if you are willing t.
take the consequences"
Say, Zip, hold onr'
$50 if should put you out of my way
right here continued Zip, without seeming
to notice the Interruption, and drawing a
small pistol out of bis boot leg as he spoke,
''and it would never be found out on me, why
it would be all right"
"But, Zip, say"-
COR if it were found out,n Zip still con-
tinued, 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
"Helloi 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 q
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 in christendom Ben
Button takes the wormln cried Zip, broad
grin still on his face, Is he also turned and
walked away. e
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 Me-
linda; Melinda's young heart was fond Of
Zip, and Zip, 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
ally. 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 WINS 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 relinquish all claim to Me
lnda's heart and hand.
Zip in pure fun, feigned loyo 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, friendly way, be permitted
TO plead his own cause with Melinda and let
her decide. a
With Zip, 50 far, II was only good Joke,
and as such he had made the most OF II, as
has been seen.
Ben Button with regularity spent two even
ings Of the week at tho Spratt domfcile.
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 tho compact between Ben and 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
tho life of her constant admirer, Ben Button
'And would it break your heart, Melinda,
il he were to dier asked Zip, with an eager
undertone In his voice, watching her face
closely. E6
sit 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.
/ wouldn't hurt Ben Button by a single
thought or word, much less take his life p re-
piled Zip, with an ,earrestness unusual with
him.
81 was only joking, Zip. But you seem to
be awfully in earnest and solemn this even
ing. What is ailing you, any way7'
"Nothing much, only / have made up my
mind to go away" answered Zip, looking
aside.
"Go awayT
Eyes, Melinda
"Where are you goingT'
Anywhere. 1t makes no difference, so
get away"
sand amt you coming backf'
"Some day, maybe, il ever I 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 are"
mo; I've made up my mind to go and
am sure it Is the best thing that could hap
pen for us oil around, so III stick to it, said
Zip resolutely.
Melinda was looking out of the window
When she saw q 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 tho slight frown ON her face he, too,
glanced out. and, seeing who was coming, he
rose to his feet ready to depart, saying, "I'll
call in again before 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 Zipi he is going away because no
thinks am going to marry that hateful Ben
Button and he is jealous. But I can't make
him see and won't ask him to stay. I'll die
first Theren
The truth was that o serious thought had
at last come to Zip. He was in love, and he
knew it. He had looked at himself as in a
looking glass and found out his own worth
lessness. More than that, he had determined
TO go away, change his habits and shiftless-
ness, and become useful man and citizen.
He would not ask Melinda for her love until
he had made himself worthy Of it. IT, how
ever, In the meantime some other man--Ben
Button, perhaps-stepped in ahead Of him,
why, he would still be the gamer by an am.
bition for higher things which, in an indi-
rect way, would be gift from Melinda
That evening Ben Button asked Melinda TO
become his wife; but she was in no hnmor to
answer him then, for lips foolish determine
ton to 60 away troubled her in no small de-
gree. She knew, too, that her mother ia
vored Ben above any one else, and that she
would be gricved II Ben received O curt re-
fusal, so she told him she would have aua an
swer ready for him when he should call
again. and Ben was happy.
Days passed away. They were days Of
49, = - -+~-
hope to Ben, days Of doubt and irresolution
to Melinda, and busy days for hand and
thought with Zip.
The decisive evening came at last and Ben
was on hand with his usual clockwork regu-
larity to receive what he fully expected to be
favorable answer to his suit.
1t had been a rainy day, but the san had
broken through the clouds In the evening and
was setting bright and clear, casting its last
rays upon Mrs SQratt, Melinda and Ben
Button, as they sat on the west gallery Of
the house
II declare, Melinda, said Mrs Spratt, sud-
denly, III them well diggers haven't gone
of and forgot to shut the gap in the fence
around the welln