Middletown transcript., 1920-03-20
LOVES
INSURANCE
By JESSIE E. sHERWM

Copyright. 1920. Wsstsrn Newspaper Union
Two boyhood friends met In the q
surance office Of Randall Porter, and It
proprietor gave Willis Borden warm
hearty welcome. sa.-,-. II
"Come to the city to settle down.
hear," voiced the latter in tone d
pleased satisfaction. Retired from
business rich man at twenty-e eight
Borden, you are certainly one Of for
tunes favorites. Not married yet
but l need not ask the question. You
always prided yourself as an fnveter
ate woman hater, you know"
"YOu put it harshly, Porter" chided
Borden mildly. "Say. rather, q being
Immensely contented with the single
state, and inclined to be shy Of the
responsibilities that marriage incurs,
Yes. fortunately, have no incum-
brances. I intend to settle down In
comfortable bachelor quarters and de-
vote myself to reviving companionship
with my old friends like yourself.
You have an air of prosperity your
SELF" continued Borden, glancing about
the we'll equipped Office and into an In
ner room where the stenographer sat,
! entirely occupied in work at her type
| writer
Il have done pretty WE'LL" replied
Porter. with a certain pride. "Of
course may hope for any business
you may have in my lines."
"As it comes along, surely. have
no property to protect from fire haz-
ard. however. I already carry some
fair life insurance. By the way.
though, some Of my friends have ad-
vised me that coming out of my bust
ness shell and essaying the society
role I may become q victim of de-
signing mother-in-law prospective. I
say, you don't insure against marriage,
do you?"
ION the contrary" replied Porter
with perfect serenity, I'VE take LlOyd's
risks on anything from a mans can
didate choice of election to an air
ship trip around the world. Love in--
surance? Oh. dear, yes! and as you
are non-hazardous in that respect q
thousand for year will cost you q
mere pittance."
Book me instantly" ordered Bor-
den, joining in the whimsical raillery
of the moment. "And, by the way%I
expect it will be some time before
definitely settle as to my permanent
place of habitat. In the meantime
l have some business to transact.
Would you indulge me enough to let
me sort of make yonr office here my
headquarters, dropping IN once in a
while when have an appointmentT'
"You will oblige and honor me by
considering the office your own," re-
piled Porter accommodatingly. II am
going East for two weeks and you
can use my desk freely. Miss Trum.
sull-a moment please"
The stenOgrapher was at the side
other employer in an instant.
"N1y friend, Mr.. Borden" went on
!'orter, and Miss Trumbull directed
mere casual fitting glance at Porter.
r. recognition of the Introduction, and
.Aen concentrated her attention solely
upon her employer. "You will see
nat my friend has the full use Of
lie Office until my return"
Miss C'eora Trumbull bowed sile1f~>
'! and was back at her typewriter ,
With the diligence Of well-trained
employee. all business, and SO oblivi-
;us to Borden that he looked slightly
:ettled
"There is a jewel" spoke @PorteE
enthusiastically. mo shirking work.
~ wasting time, no chatting or firt-
zig with the young men in the next
sifice, like her predecessors. And, by
the way, Borden, half believe she Is
your prototype. You are woman
,ater; she icts like man hater."
"You pu, me in rather ungraceful
category" resented Borden, some
:vhat piqued. "The young lady % GER
tainly an agreeable Contrast 20 the
genera: run of simpering, +rai'e-up CO.
.,uettes it has been my fate to meet"
Porter left the city the next morn
Ing. About noon Borden came Into the
Office. Miss Trumbull received him
With a pleasant nod, but went on
strictly with her work. After attend
.,,g to some correspondence Borden
requested her to take some dictation.
lightning quick in her work, and
no waste" ruminated Borden. a trifie
disappointed, however, for Miss Trum-
bull offered no excuse for chat. His
respect for the young lady increased
ecd he realized that idleness after
wears of close attention to work was
making life drearily monotonous. One
t1ay her mother visited The Office, :ud
be invited both to assuage his gloor
by forming theater partX
AT the end Of two weeks Porter re-
turned. Borden met him at the depot.
His face was so jubilant. his manner
so spirited that Porter wondered what
caused his excessive exhilaratiOn.
II say, Porter" he observed. as they
proceeded toward the office, "yOu will
have to dispense with the services OF
Miss Trumbull."
"Why, what do you meant" IN
ouireG the astonished Porter.
"And you had better cancel that
love insurance, or you may have to
pay it,
"Cancel ity repeated Porter
vaguely.
"That's it." nodded Borden, oil joy
Gus smiles. II don't want a good
friend like you to lose thousand dol
lars. I'd like to make you present
CT ten, for you have been the means
of showing me q new road to happl
ness. When we get to the Office col
GRO tulatiOns will be In order. "a