The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-01-16
The Rivals
BY ESTHER VANDEVEER
Copyright, 1870 by American Press
Association.

were inSeparaDle. USually tue IrOuDie
with girls in such cases is that they
won't show a preference. Lucy show
ed a preference for both the friends.
One day she would be very sweet to
Andrews, the next to Hutchins. There
is nothing like uncertainty to sharpen
love, and nothing will break up
friendship either between two men or
two women than rivalry for the af-
fectlons Of the same person. So John
and Tom first began to show cool
ness, then to scowl at each other when
they met, and finally they were ready
to take each others hearts blood.
One evening John went to see Lucy
and remained with her till II o'clock.
When he went away, though he had
not proposed to her, he considered the
matter settled between them. He was
unable to support wife, and this was
the reason why he had said nothing
about marriage. He intended to see
her again soon, confess that he loved
her and ask her If she would wait till
he could better his affairs.
The very next afternoon he received
shock. Walking along road. Tom
and Lucy passed him in buggy. Tom
scowled at him. but Lucy smiled very
sweetly. What did 1t mean? Was the
girl deceivlng him? He brooded over
the matter, and instead of going to
her for information he endeayored to
get II from Tom. The next day, meet
ing Tom. he said:
"Have pleasant ride yesterday"
Yes; very"
Anything between you and LucyT
"What's that to your"
"a good deal. I'm about to come to
an understanding with her"
Il don't know but I'll come to an I'M
Outstanding with her myself. jack
said Tom, suddenly changing his tone,
Tets go into the wood there where
no one will see us and have 1t out
If you make me cry muir I'll leave
the field to you. If you make me
cry 'nuff' take a back seat and let
you do the driving"
/ Agreed"
The two young men penetrated q
wood nearby, Tom leading the way,
till they reached an open space, where
he stopped. and they took Off their
coats and squared up against each
other John drew first blood from his
chum's nose. and Tom drew second
blood from his chum's lip. Then they
both cllnched. and Tom very nearly
gouged out Johns eye. John at the
same time biting Off piece Of Toms
ear. They fell, John on top.
Got enough?" he asked.
mo"
Five minutes later Tom got John of
and under.
"Got enough?" he asked.
NO"
They couldn't very we'll kill each
other without any weapons except
their fists. but they tired each Other
out. John succeeded in throwing of
Tom, but he hadn't the strength TO fol
low up the advantage. Tom lay still
he could neither renew the combat mol
rise.
Ten minutes later Tom sat up.
"John." he said. II got an idea"
John gave a responsive grunt
I'm thinking the girl had better de
eide between US"
"And I'm thinking you'd better hav'
thought of that before instead Of pro
posing to come here and have It out"
Lets get up and so home"
am willing"
They got up and dragged themselve
away. They were about to climb
fence to cross a field when they say
the object Of their quarrel in the cen
ter Of the Enclosure. A bull was be
hind her, and she had evidently al
rested his attention. Presently he be
gan to trot toward her.
you've said you're about TO fix
up with her." said John. "You bel
ter run for her before the bull gore
her"
81 thought you we're counting on heI
wouldn't stand In your way for tn
world"
Meanwhile the bull was galloping bC
hind the unconscious girl. Death di
not stare her in the face. but in tn
back Without interference the bu
would surely Kill her.
Suddenly n man with a pitchfor
jumped over the fence on the opposit
side of the field. ran for the bull an
turned him against himself. With
few jabs the man put the bull
flight. Lucy had turned. and when th
bull left she fell into the mans arms.
Here was common enemy to unit
the rivals. with one accord they &c
over the fence and hobbled towar
Lucy They were so intent upon SCI
ing her In another's arms they 10
got that they were covered with dll
and blood. Disabled as they were,
required some time for them TO reac
their objective point and when the
did Lucy had dlsengaged herself an
when she saw them had so far reco'
cred from her fright as to burst OF
laughing.
Il "Howdc. boysT said the man wi
had saved her life. "Been nghtingY'
i "Yesw John admitted sullenly.
/ "Reckon TIA been about Lucy. ~
= heard about you two. But you needn
: trouble yourselves; she's mine"
: The rivals looked at Lucy.
4 "sorry hadn't told you before
she said. at would have saved yol
1