The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-14
The COMPLETE llrKv.

VasLly 0lHErsnt person from the ME-
DiDcnick vino. IrUck-coaLsd ana L0P-
haJUsu tolIed up 10 an once ia Lane
somewhere OF the CITY ana sat Gay
after Gay Il owning at ledgers ana csAsn
books. with his snort legs coiled dss-
perAtely round the long legs OF the
stool Mr.. Dipch1ck at the seaside was
a man or leisure. a man OF culture $50
everyone said In the boarding house -
two minutes from the front. terms
from z5s.'). and undoubtedly man of
wealth, as the blue haze from his cigar
testined. And his flannel suit was i'm
macuiate in it's unsnrtnkaDIe glory.
Ana mis- yellow boots mace mirrors for
the sun. And his Danama-reaily his
panama might have been 30-shilltns
one from Bond street. instead OF a
hree-and-siXpenny Cheapside irnita-
ton. II imitation is the slncerest form
OF hattery. never has heaogear been
Subjected to more fulSome fiaLtery than
the panama hat.
MIR. Dibchick walked gracefully along
she promenade, using the shop win
dows as looking glasses. until the long
repetition OF reflections grew monoton-
Gus. and he turned into one of the
squares that led off the Wittlesaa
promenade. At No. 26, Sea View Che
sixth house OF that name in the square,.
lived Mabel, and it was for Mabel that
he had arrayed himself in ali his fan
nelled glory.
she was standing on the steps of the
house taking the morning." and by
able man. thought Mr.. Dibchick)-talk-
ing and laughing with her in a more
than confidential manner. He strolled
up to them carelessly. and Mabel said
Its you, is it?' as il she had not been
expecting him: as if she had 4orgotten
all about the appointment made on the
pier last night. Mr.. Dibchick glaI ed
savagely at the man. and Mabel intro
duced them: Mr.. Dibchick-Major
iWavte."
Major Wayte curled his moustache
tremendously. and Mr.. Dibchlck's
thumb and forefnger rushed to his
upper np-iust to make sure that his
Few treasured wisps were still there.
''E7ow-de-do. Mr.. Dabchick?" conde-
goended the Major.
'Dibchtck, SIR scowled the aggrieved
owner of the name.
The Major smiled apologiZed, Sailed
again. this time at Mabel. and with
drew. Look here. Mabel" burst out
Mr. Dibchick. who's that blackguard
and why didn't you seem pleased to see
me before h!m2"
How dare you call my friend
blackguardl!" she replied. angrily
Hes a gentleman. and he's a hero
"Harl Harr laughed Mr.. Dibchick,
mirthlessly: II know those heroes
". C.-Hah!' He was tragic in his
contamDt.
oh yes. you may well sneer-you' G
like TO be as brave as he is. 1 love
brave menl"
A luInE entered Mr.. Dibchick's throat
and he drew himself-the whole four
feet rli-e inches of him-up nanfullv.
oh. very well, then: suppose IT'S no
good my waiting here to be insulted any
longer. ! could see you wanted TO quar-
rel with me. Good by
He tinred on his heel and strobe down
the square to the front again. His niHd
was seething cauldron OF hate against
brave men and majors AS he reached
the corner he looked round tn sap if Ma
bel was still there. Perhaps she was
crying! lie saw her muslinclad figure
on the steps, and by her side was a man
"a big man-and a brave man
Then Mr.. Dibchick said sonnet hing out
loud that shocked an elderly consump-
tive who was being wheeled past him in
a bath chair into a protesting fit of
coughing
They're all alike, women" philos-
ophized Mr.. Dibchick. Life is a book to
them, and men are the pages, to be cast
aside for a new one as soon as the in
terest has died out" He surprised him
self as an epigrammatist. and philoso-
phized again. "Life-ah!-isa nut, and wo-
men is the kernel-generally bitter!'
Then in needless extravaganza he flung
down two coppers at the pier turnstile,
and pushed moodily on to the pier.
The band was playing a selection from
My Lady Molly" and the melodies
made him think of Mabel. and the old.
dear times they had spent together in
London. He remembered the evening on
which they went to the theater to see
the play. He could fit the words to the
tune which the band was playing:
Seek-f1nd! Love is blind
Tell-tale blush confesSes
Ladies sometimes change their mind
Noes are modest "yeses.'
He grew sadly sentimental and star
ed down at the green swirling waters
below. Dear little Mabel! after all, he
could afford to be magnanimous, seeing
that he loved her. How pretty she look
ed 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
showing your valor. Chance makes
many a hero.
Il will be hero,' muttered Mr. Dib-
chick to the leaping waves beneath him.
Nov, what shall 1 do?" And, as if in
answer to his query, he saw a crowd
swiftly gathering at the end of the pier,
as man, fully dressed, threw himself
of. The crowd murmured, and Mr..
Dibchick, before anybody could stop
him, leaped over the parapet, and the
waters closed above his head. He rose
10 the surface with shouts ringing in his
ears. Save himi save him. they
shouted, and, being fairly good swim
mer, he struck out for the dark object,
which simultaneously struck out for
him. In another minute they were side
by side, and Mr.. Dibchick grabbed at
the mans hair, and secured a handful of
it.
Lego me hair!" yelled the man.
You shan't drown!" screamed Mr..
Dihchick
Save him!" they shouted from the
pier
Catch hold of my arm" cried the
man. "and keep your head above
Wateri''
CLOSE your mouth" shrieked Afr.
Dibchick, and lie still Oh your back,
I'll get you to the pier steps. keep
coolt' (Rather superf1uous advice,
seeing that the water was somewhat
chilly.)
Cool be damned" cried the man.