University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-06-28
LOVE INSURANCE
By Earl Der Bigger5-
copxriehted by The Bobbs-MerriIl Company

game and intend to stick to it until
I'm smothered in rose-leaves. Shall
We wander back?"
See here, Jack-I don't want to
preach"-Minot tried to conceal his
seriousness with smile-"but if l
were you I'd stick to this girl. and
make good"
And leave this?" Paddock laughed.
"Dick. you old idiot, this is meat and
drink to me. This nice old land of lott
er in the sun. Nay, nay, Now, I've
really got to get back. Mrs. Bruce
is giving a tango tea this afternoon
informal. but something has to be said
These fellows who write a daily
humorous column must lead a devil of
a life"
With laugh, Minot followed his
irresponsible friend down the steps.
They crossed the bridge over the emp
ty mOat and came through the city
gates again to the street of the ALI
Gator.
by the way" Paddock said as they
went up the hotel steps, you haven't
told me what brought you south?"
Business, Jack" said Minot. Its
secret-perhaps ! can tell you lat
err"
Business? l thought, of course,
you came for pleasure
"There1l be no pleasure in this
trip for me-" said Minot bitterly.
"Oh. wont there? Paddock laughed.
wait, till you hear Mrs. Bruce talk.
See you later, old man."
At luncheon they brought Mr.. Mi
not a telegram from a certain seven
teenth floor in New York. An ex-
plosive telegram. 1t read:
place. see It through, you've given
your word"
"THACKER."
Gloomily Mr.. Minot considered
What was there to do but see it
through? Even though Thacker
should send another to take his place,
could he stay to WOO the lady he
adored? Hardly. In that event he
would have to go away-never see her
again-never hear her voice-If he
stayed as JephsOn's representative he
might know the glory of her nearness
for a week, might thrill at her smile
even while he worked to wed her
to Lord Harrowby. And perhaps
Who could say? Hard as he might
work, might he not be thwarted? 1t
was possible.
So after lunch he sent Thacker a
reassuring message, promising to
stay. And at the end of dull hour
in the lobby, he set out to explore the
town.
The Mermaid Tea House stood on
the waterfront, with a small second
floor balcony that looked out on the
harbor. Passing that way at four
thirty that afternoon. Minot heard a
voice call to him. He glanced up.
"Oh, Mr.. Minot-won't you come
into my parlor?" Cynthia Meyrick
smiled down on him.
Splendid" Minot laughed. 81 walk
forlOrn through this old Spanish
suddenly a lattice is thrown
wide, a fair hand beckoned. | dash
Thanks for dashing," Miss Mey
rick greeted him, on the balcony. Il |
was finding it dreadfully dull. But
I'm afraid the Spanish romance is
little lacking. There is no moonlight
10 lattice, no mantilla, no Spanish
beauty"
"No matter" Minot answered. 81
lever did care for Spanish types.
They flash like a sky-rocket-then
umble in the dark Now, the home
'rown girls"
And nothing but tea," she inter-
upted. "Will you have a cup?"
Thanks. Was it really very dull?"
Yes. This book was to blame"
he held up a novel.
Whats the matter with it?'
"Oh-it's one of those books in ,
yhich the hero and heroine are for ,
yer gazing into each others eyes ,
nd they understand perfectly. But
ne reader doesn't I've reached one i,
those gazing matches now"
But isn't it so in real life-when =,
eople gaze into each others eyes,
ont they usually understand"
"Do they?" >,
Don't they? You surely have had :,
ore experience than l." !,