Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-05
A CONPLBAT HERO.
BY Aph:nse Cour ende".

after day frowning at ledgers and
desperately round the long legs of tho
stool. Mr.. Dibchick at the seaside Was
a man of leisure, a man If culture $50
every one said in the boarding house
two minutes from the front, terms
from 25s."), and undoubtedly man OF
wealth. as the blue haze from his ci-
gar testified. And his flannel suit was
immaculate in it's unshrinkable glory.
And his yellow boots made mirrors for
the sun. And his panama-really his
panama might have been 30-shilling
one from Bond street. instead of Il
hree-and-six-penny Cheapside imita-
ton. If imitation is the sincerest
form OF fiattery, never has a headgear
been subjected to more fulsome fiat
terry than the panama hat.
Mr. Dibchich walked gracefully along
the promenade, using the shop WIN
dows as looking glasses. until the long
repetition of reflections grew monoto-
nous, and he turned into one Of the
squares that led Off the Wittlesea
promenade. At No. 26, Sea View"
(the sixth house OF that name in the
square), lived Mabel, and it was for
Mabel that he had arrayed himself in
all his fiannelled glory.
She was standing on the steps of the
house taking the morning. and by
her side was mania most objec-
tionable man, thought Mr. Dibchick)-
talking and laughing with her in a
more than confidential manner. He
strolled up to them carelessly, and
Mabel said ITS you, is it," as if she
had not been expecting him; as if she
had forgotten all about the appoint
ment made on the pier last night. Mr..
Dibchick glared savagely at the man.
and Mabel introduced them: Mr.. Dib-
chick-Major Wayte."
Major Wayte curled his; moustache
tremendously, and Mr.. Dibchick' 5
thumb and forefinger rushed to his
upper lip-just to make sure that his
few treasured wisps were still there.
"How-de-do, Mr.. Dabchick?" conde-
scended the major.
"Dibchick, SIR" scowled the ag-
grieved owner of the name.
The major smiled, apologizcd, smiled
again-this time at Mabel, and with
drew. Look here, Mabel" burst out
Mr.. Didchick, who's that BLACKBOARD,
and why didn't you seem pleased to
see me before him."
''How dare you call my friend a
5lackguard?" she replied. angrily.
He's gentleman; and he's hero-a
V. c."
''Har! Har!" laughed Mr.. Dibchick,
nirthlessly; 81 know those hsroes-V.
tempt.
ooh, yes, you may we'll sneer-youd
like to be as brave as he is I love
brave men,"
A lump entered Mr.. Dibchicl' s
throat, and he drew himself-the whole
four feet nine inches of him-up man
fully. "Oh, very well, then; l suppose
it's no good my waiting here to DE in
suited any longer. l could see you
wanted to quarrel with me. Good by. -
He turned on his heel and strobe
down the square to the front again.
His mind was seething cauldron of
hate against brave men and majors.
AS he reached the corner ne looked to
see if Mabel was still there Perhaps
she was crying! He saw her muslin
clad figure on the steps. and by her
side was a man. big mal-and 4
brave man.
Then Mr. Dibchicll said something
out loud that shocked an elderly con-
sumptive who was being wheeled past
aim in a bath chair into a protesticg
fit of coughing.
They're all alike, women" phi.oso-
phized Mr.. Dibchick life is a book
10 them, and men are the pages, to be
last aside for new one as soon as the
interest has died out" He surprised
himself as an epigrammatist. and pill
and woman is the kernel-generally
bitter!" Then in needless extrava-
gance he flung down two coppers at the
pier turnstile, and pushed moodily on
to the pier.
The band was playing selection
from "My Lady Molly" and the melo-
dies made him think of Mabel, and the
old, dear times they had spent to-
gether in London. He remembered the
evening on which they went to the
theatre to see the play. He could 1t
the words to the tune which the band
was playing:
Seek-find! Love is blind,
Tell-tale blush confesses
Ladies sometimes change their mind
Noes" are modest "yeses."
He grew sadly sentimental and
stared down at the green swirling wa
ters below. Dear little Mabel. after
all, he could afford to be magnanimous
seeing that he loved her. How pretty
she looked in that white muslin dress
with the red rose nesting at her
waist! She loved brave men. Well,
why not? After all, bravery is largely
opportunity. You may be as bold and
dashing a fellow as ever made out an
invoice, and yet live through life with
never a chance of showing your valor
Chance makes many q hero.
Il will be hero" muttcred Mr.
Dibcnick to the leaping waves beneath
him. Nov, what shall do?" And
as il in answer to his query he saw q
crowd swiftly gathering at the end Ct