The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-01-03
The Rivals
By ESTHER VANDEVEER
Copyright, 1a1o. by American Press
Association.

John ANDREWS anu 1om nucSn"o
were bosom friends till they both fan
eied the same girl Before either or
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 viii break up a
friendship either between two men or
two women than a rivalry for the at
fectons Of the same person. 30 john
and Tom first began to show a cool-
ness, then to scowl at each other when
they met and finally they were ready
b 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 q wife, and this was
the reason why he had said nothing
about marriage. He intended to see
her again soon, confess chat he loved
her and ask her II she would wait till
he could better his affairs.
The very next afternoon he received
q shock. Walking along Q road, Tom
and Lucy passed him In a buggy. Tom
scowied at him. but Lucy smiled very
sweetIy. What did 1t mean? Was, the
girl decetYing him7 He brooded over
the matter, and instead of going to.
her for information he endeavored to
get It from Tom. The next day. meet
hg Tom, he said:
aHavs q pleasant ride yesterday 3
.Yes: very" y
Anything between you and LucyT
whats 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 un-
derstanding with her myself, Jack"
said Tom, suddenly changing his. tone.
lets 10 into the wood there where
NO q will see us and have It out
II you make me cry muir IN leave
the Geld to you. II You make me
cry muir / take a back seat and let
you do the driving"
"Agresdr
The two young men penetrated a
wood nearby. Tom leading the way,
I'M they reached an open space, where
hs stopped. and they took on their
coats and squared mp against each
other. John drew first blood from his
ehum's nose, and Tom drew second
blood from his chum's lip. Then they
both clinched, ard Tom very nearly
soused out Johns eye. John at the
samo time biting of q piece Of Toms
sar. They fell, John on top.
f~Got enoughr he asked
sNot"
Five minutes Later Tom got John OF
and under. St..
@Got snoughr' he asked.
mo- Ks =.
They couldn't very wen kin each
other without any weapons except
their fists, but they tired each other
ont. John succeeded in throwing on
Tom, but be hadn't the strength to fol
low up the advantage. Tom Lay. still
be could neither renew the combat nor
rise.
Ten, minutes later Tom sat up.
~John," he said. II got an idea"
John gave. a responsive grunt
.Tm thinking the girl had better de-
eds between Ms"
aAnd I'm thinking you'd better have
thought Of that before instead OF pro
posing 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 be-
hind her. and she bad evidently ar
rested his attention Presently ne DE-
gan to trot toward her. ;.
~You've said you're about to tx 1t
ND with her." said John. you bet
ter run for her before the bun cores
hsf." -.
II ,thought you were counting on her.
I wouldn't stand In your way Tor the
world
Meanwhile the bun was galloping be-
hind the unconscious girl Death DID
not stare her In the face. but In the
back; without interference the bull
would surely hIl her. .
suddenly a man with q pitchfork
Jumped over the fence On the opposite
stds Of the field, ran for the bull and
tried him against himself With q
Sew tabs the nan put the bull to
fight. Lucy had turned, and when the
bull left she fell into the mans arms.
Here was a common enemy to unite
tho rivals. With one accord they got
over the fence and hobbled toward
Lucy. They were 80 intent upon see.
fne her In anothers arms they for,
rot that they e covered with dirt
and blood. Disabled as they were. II
required some time for them to reach
their objective point, and when they
did Lucy had disengaged herself and
when she saw them had 80 far recov'
cred from her fright as to burst out
laughing.
SHowde, boys1" said the man who