Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1921-03-18
A RISK ROMANCE
BY MINNIE NJ. TOWNSEND.

huge city maps. turned the much
pasted pages until she came to the
particular streets desi gnuted on the
application which she held In her hand
and ran finger down the street to
the little square house which bore the
correct number. She carefully stu
died the surroundings anu then shook
her head.
"We'll have to have this applica
tion cancelled. Mr. Phelps" A tall
young man came at her call and
glanced at the tell-tale map. You
see" she continued in explanation its
nothing hut an old shack surrounded
on all sides by diIapidated buildings.
| On this side is a laundry and on the
other another one-story wooden shack,
The whole street is one big fire trap.
But they only want $500 on house
hold furniture, Betty"
Miss Simms resented such easy use
of her given name and plainly showed
It. 81 know, hut if ever good fra
got started in that neighborhood
there wouldn't be house left I'm
| quite sure the furniture which you
recommend insurlng would not remain
suspended unhurt In the air"
Despite the sarcasm the young man
| was nOnplused
II grant you that. but" he leaned
closer and to all intent was engaged
! IN strictly business conversation
"but, Betty dear, have you no hearth"
Betty glarcd "What are you driv-
! ing at? This is a poor business risk.
very bad fire hazard. and probably
a poor moral hazard as we'll. Folks
who live in sucn places may not be
overparticuar about setting a fire.
Please have it ordered cancelled"
AS | was saying, Betty" he con
tinued easily, "this poor couple have
begun home, all secure in their fan
cied happiness, and then you, a girl
without heart, refuse to Issue their
policy when they try to insure the
material part of their happiness. Con-
fidence is smashed, they begin to
think about the poor outside of their
home, the rickety old fireproofess
shack. They go to sleep dreading
that elixir Of life, afraid the house
Will burn around them while they
SIumber The noise of the laundry be-
comes prophetic; the kid next door
with a fire cracker sets their nerves
Jangling. Peace is gone and all be-
ceause certain flint-hearted-"
tViIl
business office. I try to be a bust
ness woman, but you have utterly
failed to be a business man. Per-
haps If you had" She hurried AWAY
leaving a much disconnected person
leaning over the map counter.
The much abused $500 policy was
cancelled in due season. Days passed
as they do in all insurance offices
betty retained cold silence. even
Ignoring Jimmys wstful attempts to
appear contrite. And then, one day
AFTER the company had sustained
big loss, he came over 10 Betty's cor
ner, his face aglow, all differences for
gotten.
I've got my chance, Betty" he said
eagerly. 81 asked for it and I'm 90
ing to do inspecting, starting this az
ternoon with that big loss at W
I've imagined that you were hard
hearted, Betty, but perhaps if I try
TO become business man, perhaps"
but Miss Slmms totally ignored the
mlschfevous face above her. az can't
ever forgive you" she announced curt
~, banging away on her nOiseless
typewriter in an effort to create noise
She thought, with remorse Of ber
words late that afternoon when there
came rumors that the shaky walls Of
the W ruins had collapsed, iniuring
several. The company could not get
In touch with its agent and Betty went
home without her usual appetite for
supper She tried to eat and at last
after several attempts, gave it up and
little shamefacedly went to the tele-
phone.
The voice at the other end of the
telephone seemed coolly impersonal
Yes, he has been hurt badly, though
not seriously"
N'ulu she come OVerE There WAS
moment of silence and then:
I'm sorry, but he thinks you are
probably not really interested and II
would only be an unnecessary bother"
I'll be right over" said Miss Betty
! SimmS, shortly.
Jimmy's white face grinned above
the coverlet. Tried to be business
man, but twas knocked on the head
first time by brick, at that. Guess
can't be nothing but a sob sister
| clerk"
Betty slipped a hand over his one
unbandaged one. Jim" she said soft
Iy' ut was mean of me to call YOU
that. If you'll just try 10 get strong
soon again, Ill--we'u make a business
man of you-together."
"We?' he queried family and as
She nodded. he shook his head. NO.
1t was selfish even to think of such a
thing, Betty
1T wasn't. If YOU have withdrs un