Tombstone epitaph., 1890-04-05
THE RIVALS.

with merry twinkle in his eye and brorl smile over his jovial features: the othe- witi glance lorg dawn out, grave and solemn that seemed to east shadow of gloom oz everything about the scene.
 You'll do your best, and I'll do my best That's what we've agreed ons sain't 1t. ziE TifhinsE"
 That's it, Ben Button, and whichever oi us wins, the other shall bear no ill will"
 "Just so, Zip"
 "And everything except murder shall b. counted fairF' ,a-95
 "Ehp
 And murder, too, if you are willing rs take the consequences" .a
 Say, Zip, hold onT
 ''So if should put yoa out of my way right here" continued Zip without seeming to notice the interruption, and drawing ( 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" uI
 But, Zip, say'-
 "Or if it were found out" Zip still COD tinued, raising the pistol higher and highet till it pointed straight for BenS breast, "anL were willing to take all the riak to get clea' which think am ready to do, 1hy 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, bui kept straight on until he was lost to sight in 2 bend of the road, while Zip, bending almost double with laughter, sent peal after peal of merrimecS ringing out on the balmy evening air.
 ''Of all the chickens in christendom Ben Button takes the wormr cried Zip. broad grin still nu bis faca 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 the affections of Melinda Spratt. Ben was seriously in love with Me linda; Melindas young heart was foni of Zip, and Zip. homeless, careless, fun loving rover that he was, had never thought chat reached into the future for an hour
 Ben and Zip nd met in the road accident ally Ben was on his way to the Sprtvt homestead to make further siege to Mslinda's heart.
 For she last few days Ben had had but one thought, and that was bow to get rid of zir Gs q rival So, when be met Zip, he pleaded from the fu lness of his heart and in the most pers lasiye language he could command that Zip you'd 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 ths Naif rriu A. Q last resort they finally agreed that each should, in a fair, friendly way, be permitted to plead his own causS with Mel;i1ia and let her decide.
 With Zip, so far, it was only Q good joke, and as such he had piads the most of 1t, ss daS been seen.
 Ben Button with rsgularity spent two evek ings of the week at the Spratt domicils With Melinda he made very slow, if any, progress into favor; with Mrs. Spratt, how eve-, he won golden opinions and stood iH high g~~4ce.
 Since the compact between Ben and Zip the latter had visited Melinda but once, and then shc had, in very shy and sweet waJ, teas ingly upbraided him for having tried to tsks tho life of her constant admirer, Ben Button
 And would it break your heart, Melinda if he were to dier asked Zip, with an eager undertone in his voice, watching her facs closely.
 ''It would-almost-of course, if-but, Zip, you h we no light to ask such questions" she answered, looking up shyly and blushing
 Well, you needn't be uneasy about him. 1 wouldn't hurt Ben Button by e singls thought or word, much less take his life,r re- ;ol him.
 ''I was only joking, Zip. But you seem to be awfully in earnest and solemn this even. ing. Wkas is ailing you, any wayT
 "Nothing much, only have made up my med to go away" answseed Zip, looking .s:de.
 ''Go away?"
 "Yes, Melinda"
 "Where are you goingr
 Anywhere. It makes no difference, % get away"
 And ain't you coming backr'
 "Some day, maybe, if 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 are"
 No; I've made up my mind to go and am sure it is the best thing that -ould hap pen for us all around, so I'll stick to it," said Zip resolutely.
 Melinda was looking out of the window. Whcn 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 he saw the slight frown on her face he, too, ont hr he rose to his feet ready to depart, saying, "I'n good-by. Good evening""
 Melinda glanced reproachfully after the retreating Zip. There was a suspicion of tears in her eyes and little quiver 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 be is jealous But 1 can't make Eim see and won't ask him to stay. I'll dls first. Therer'
 The truth was that serious thought had at last come to Zip. He was in love, and he l-new it. He had looked at himself as in a looking glass and found out his own wortl,- lessness. More than that, he had determined to go away, change his habits and shiftless- ness, and become a useful man and citizen He would not ask Melinda for her love until he had made himself worthy of it If, how ever, in the meantime some other rlan-Be3 Button, perhaps-stepped in ahead ot him, why, be would still be the gainer 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 hnmo- to answer him then, for Zip's foolish determine tion to go away troubled her in n0 small de gree. She knew, too, that her mo-her ia vored Ben above any one else, and that shA would be grieved if Ben received curt TO