The Portland daily press., 1893-12-08

at nothing and much embarrassed wher
speaking to strangers.
The hours passed Then suddenly, as
towards gain courage, she came to the de-
cision: 81 will go. Then we shall seew
But as it was necessary to prepare the
umbrella for o more complete wreck and
to account for it easily, she took a match
from the mantelpiece and burned between
the whalebones a piece as large as your
hand Then she carefully rolled up what
remained of the silk, fastened it with the
elastic cord. put on hat and shawl and
went with quick steps toward the Rue de
Rivoli, where she found the insurance Of
flee.
On entering the door her heart beat fast
She went into large room with openings
all around, and at each opening she saw
the head Of man whose body was con-
cealed by paneling. A man appeared, car
rying papers. She stopped him and said
in a timid voice:
Pardon me, sir, but can you tell me
where it is necessary to apply to be reim-
bursed for burned articles?''
He said in g loud tone, First floor at
the left, at the accident bureau"
This word frightened her still more. She
was anxious to return, say nothing and
sacrifice her money, but at that thought
little courage returned, and she went up
breathlessly, rausing at every step. On
the first floor she saw door and knocked.
A clear voice called out, 'Come imp
She went into large room where three
men stood quietly conversing. One of
them asked, s'What do you wish, ma
dame?o
She answered hesitatingly, "I come-I
come-for an accident"
The man politely offered her seat.
"Won't you sit down? will attend to
you in minute" Turning toward the
others, he resumed the conversation.
NThe company, gentlemen does not feel
itself pledged to you for more than $780,
900. We cannot admit your claim for the
$40, 900 more you think we ought to pay.
The estimates of others -
One of the others interrupted: "That is
sufficient, sir The courts will decide"
They went out, after many ceremonious
bows.
Oh, if she Lad only dared to go out
with them, she would have done so-she
would have fed, abandoning all. But
could she? The man returned, and bow
ing said, 'tHow can 1 serve you, MADAME"
She could hardly speak. II have come
for-for this
The director looked with simple aston
ishment at the object she held toward him.
She tried with renbling fingers to loos-
en- the elastic cord. She succeeded at last
and quickly opened the battered skeleton
of the umbrella.
The man said in compassionate tone,
1t seems to me to be very sick. ".At''f
She said hesitatingly, sit cost me $4''
"Tru1yl AS much as that?''
Eyes. It was very nice one. wish
you to reimburse me for it, /"
Every we'll, see-very well. But do
not see how it concerns me.'
She became nervous. Perhaps this COM
pany did not pay for small articles, and
she said:
"But it is burned"
The man did not deny it. "I see that
it is"
She remained silent, not knowing what
to say. Then, suddenly understanding his
hesitation, she added:
+ III am Mime. Oreille. We are insured in
La Maternelle, and I came for the pay
ment of this article" quickly saying, fear
ing positive refusal, 81 ask only to have
it recovered"
The director, embarrassed, said: ssBut,
We cannot make that kind of REPAIRS
The little woman felt her courage re-
turn. If she must fight, she would fight.
She was no longer afraid. II only ask the
price to repair it. T will have it done my
self''
The director seemed embarrassed. SIN
deed, madam, this is trifle. We are new
er asked indemnity for accidents of so lit
81
handkerchiefs, gloves, brushes and shoes
and all the trifes that are daily exposed
to danger by fire. Would you tell me how
it happened?" @
"Sir, have in my vestibule bronze
stand for umbrellas and canes. The other
day in entering placed this there. I must
say there is just above small shelf for
candles and matches. I struck one. 1t
went out. I struck another 1t also went
out. I struck third. 1t did the same.
''Then the fourth took fire, and I lighted
my candle. Then I went into my bedroom
to lie down. But in about quarter of
an hour it seemed there was something
burning. I have always had fear of fire.
Oh, if ever there is an accident, it will not
be my fault Ever since the fire in the
chimney look out. I got up, went out,
looked and smelled like dog on a scent
and saw at last my burned umbrella. Tt
was probably match that fell down. You
see in what condition it has been left"
The director had made up his mind and
asked, "How much do you value your UNI
brella?"
She paused not daring to fix sum.
Then she said, wishing to be fair: "Have
it repaired yourself. give it to you"
He declined. mo, madam, can trust
you. Tell me how much you ask"
'But it seems to me-that-stop-Id do
not wish to take advantage of you. I've
do not make anything. will carry my
umbrella to merchant who will cover it
in good, durable silk and bring the bill tc
you. Will that do?"
Perfectly, well, madam. 1t is bar
gain. Here is an order in your case that
will reimburse you" He held card TIC
Nine. Oreille. who took it, then thanking
him arose and went out, hurrying, fearing
he would change his mind. She went at
quick pace through the street, looking
for fine umbrella merchant. When she
had found shop sufficiently stylish, she
went in and said in confident tone:
Here is an umbrella. want it recov-