The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-18

ranged her straying hair-how it did curl
| and get out of order-and rose pleasantly.
| Her desk, well away from the drowsy
| clerks at the end of the room, was close
| to the cashiers
"Mr. Linder is out" she said. "Be
right back, guess. If you wish to pay a
premium 1 can attend to it. Name,
please?'
William D. Phippen. Hold on. I don't
want to pay anything. My policy has
lapsed. I just dropped in to say I was
glad of it, He viewed her in amused adj
miration as her eyes widened
1 Dear me- What an awful thing to
say. You can't mean that in a shocked
voice. 15a
"wen, do think I'll .geta little COM
fort out of life, now" ~a
"Oh, gracious!' -
Eyes, I'm through with it. 1 should
have known better than to take it on. I
was talked right out of my boots. Why,
I got to thinking of the uncertainties Of
existence until I was afraid to go out in
the rain. Wet feet-pneumonia. Poked
around in the shade for fear of a SUM-
| stroke. Looked up at every building to
| see if something was going to drop on me.
Everything ate had a fatal germ; every
| thing I drank, destroying microbes. I
| wasn't comfortable minute, and so I got
| insured
| "That was right" cried the girl. Then
of course you stopped worrying. 1t was
your conscience, you know.
| The man laughed merrily. "Of course:
| but listen That was two years ago. and
I've paid your old company 220 good dol
lars, and I've never been in better health.
| Neither have I had new suit of clothes
| nor bit of fun Last year I went with
out my vacation; couldn afford one. To-
night 1 take train for the Adirondacks,
and I've hung up my tailor for this suit.
| eaf
your wife and little ones!'s
| WHAT I'm not married. haven't a
soul depending on me- s.~~-.---
Lena had forgotten that this man was
an entire stranger; he was SO frank and
confidential, yet not familiar. A valuable
life she was sure, and those who allowed
the policies to lapse always met with a
sad and speedy end. She had read OF
|innumerable cases. 81 hate, to have you
give it up she added, and then, remem-
bering, blushed.
/ Phippen was gazing intently at the pref
ty, anxious face You are extremely kind
to show so much interest," he said
thoughtfully. But I'm going to quit it
No one cares about me anyway.
20, but some day perhaps some one
will" whispered the girl earnestly, lift
ing her eyes to his. And then you'll
have it all ready. Here's Mr.. Linder COM
: ing. I'll have to say good-by.'
| 10 -UIOp IL, Gil ASAiA1t n.y. ~.N
cashier after a minute of talk "Foollsn,
1 think, but your business, as you say:
I can fix it for you yet. No?'t Well
He yanked open drawer. 'Where's that
cancellation pad? Hello! Here is that Old
gun again. Don't want to buy revolver
: to take on your trip, do you?' he asked
t loosely. Cost you 81 -
Lets see it. Not loaded?'
Nav! Never has BEEN. 1t has, kicked
around for years." His nervous fingers
} twitched carelessly at the weapon. A
: sharp explosion, a scream from the nor
riied girl; then the quick echo died away,
: and clerks came, rushing with blanched
faces.
r Good heavens, man, are you shot?'
gasped Under, staggering out from his
1 cage. Did Ibid you
:. Phippen put a hand upon the rail
steadying himself. 20, no. he answered
coolly; cit did itself. Hurt? I guess not
l lust scratched my ear. Bleeding bit
l isn't it? Say, if it's all the same to you
folks, 1 think won't let that policy lapse
after ALL
Eighteen months later Mrs. William D.
Phippen opened a letter from her hus-
band, the salesman who was making such
: successful trips.
I Dear Lena it ran, my insurance
premium is due next week. Don't forget
, it. Use one of the checks / signed FOL
emergencies. Will write at length to-
morrow, Had good day. Lovingly,
: will"