The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-01-10
The Rivals
=
By ESTHER VANDEVEER
Copyright. 1910. BY American Press
Association.

John Andrews and Tom Hutchins
were bosom friends till they both fan
eied the same girl. Before either OF
them had met Lucy Boughton they
were inseparable. Usually the trouble
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 win break up a
friendship either between two men or
two women than a rivalry for the al
fections Of the same person. So John
and Tom first began to show a cool
ness, then to scowl at each other when
they met, and finally they were ready
10 take each others hearts blood.
One evening John went to see Lucy
and remained with her TIL II o'clock.
| When he went away, though he had
not proposed to her. he considered the
matter settled between them. 10 was
unable to support.s wife, and this was
tie reason why he had said nothing
about marriage. He intended to see
her again soon, confess that he loved
her and ask her II she would wait TIL
hs could better bis affaira
The very next afternoon be received
q shock, walking along q road, Tom
and Lucy passed him In q buggy. Tom
scowled at him, but Lucy smiled very
sweety. What did 4 mean? Was the
girl decefving him? BE brooded over
the matter, and instead of going to
her for information he endeavored to
ret II from Tom. The next,day. meet
tng Tsm he said: ~
aHavs q pleasant ride ~yesterdayr
Yes; very" 4
Anything between you and Lucy?'
sWhat's that to your
"A good deal. I'm about to come to
IN understanding with her,,
II don't know but I'll como to an un.
d~erstanding With her myself Jack"
said Tom, suddenly changing bis tone,
Tets 70 into the wood there where
no one will see rs and have II ont
II you make. me cry nun IN leave
the Held to you. II you make me
cry .nun' I take 6 back seat and let
you:do the driving"
"Agreedi"
The two young men penetrated a
wood nearby. Tom leading the way.
TN they reached an open space, where
hs stopped, and they took OF their
coats and squared up against each
other. John drew first blood from his
chr1n's nose, and Tom drew second
blood from bis chum's lip. Then they
both clinehed, and Tom very nearly
souged out Johns eye. John at the
sams time biting OF . piece OF Toms
ear. They fell, John on top.
Got enoughY' he asked:
mo" y
Five minutes later Tom got John OF
and, under. r. ~"
AGot enotghf' he asked.
mo"
rhey couldn't very wen kin each
Other without any weapons except
their fsts, but they tired each other
ont John succeeded tn throwing on
Tom, but he hadn't the strength to fol-
low ND the advantage. Tom lay still
be could neither renew the combat nor
rise.
Tan minutes later Tom sat mp.
~John," hs said. II got On fdea."
John gave q responsive grunt.
apm thinking the girl had better de
| eide between us." -.
aAnd I'm thinking you'd better have
thourht of that before instead OF pro-
posins to come here and have It out"
Lets get up and 60 home" .
.I'm willing"
They got up and dragged themselves
sway, They were about to climb a
fence to cross q field when they saw
| the object Of their quarrel in the CEN
tar of the Enclosure. A bull was b
| hind her. and she had evidently ar
rested his attention Presently he be-
san to trot toward her.
~You'vs said you're about to hx It
ap with her." said John. "You bet
tsr, run for her before tho bull cores
hsk."
q thought you were counting on ner.
+ fonidn't stand in your way for the
Exstst-.
hind the. unconscious girl Death did
not stare her In the face. but IN the
bach. without Interference the bull
would surely kin her.
Suddenly a man with O. pttchforK
Jumped over the fence on the opposite
hide of the Geld. ran for the bull and
turned him against himself. With a
tow tabs the man put the bull to
hieht Lucy had turned. and when the
bull left she fell into the mans arms.
Here was a common enemy to unite
ths rivals. With one accord they got
over the fence and hobbied toward
Lucy. They were 30 intent upon see
ing her TN anothers arms they for.
rot that they were covered with dirt
and blood. Disabled "a they were, 1t
required some time for them to reach
their objective point, and when they
did Lucy had disengaged herself and
when she saw them had so far recoV-
cred from her fright as to burst out
laughing.
@Howde, boysT' said the man who