Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1921-01-21
A RISK ROMANCE
BY MINNIE M. TOWNSEND.
'GSSSSSGSHSS SSSeSSSSSSSSS'

ance company opened one Of theil
huge city maps, turned the much
pasted pages until she came to the
particular streets designated on the
application which she held In her hand
and ran a finger down the street to
the little square house which bore the
correct number. She carefully stu
died the surroundings and then shook
her head.
wen have to have this applics-
ton cancelled, Mr.. Phelps" A tall
young man came at her call and
glanced at the tell-tale map. "You
see." she continued in explanation, tits
nothing but an old shack, surrounded
on all sides by dilapidated 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
! 1t. Il know, but if ever a good fire
| got started In that neighborhood
there wouldn't be a house left. I'm
quite sure the furniture which you
recommend insuring would not remain
suspended unhurt in the air"
Despite the sarcasm the young man
was nonplused.
81 grant you that, but" he leaned
closer and to all intent was engaged
in a strictly business conversation
''but, Betty dear, have you no heart"
Betty glared. what are you driy-
ing at? This is a poor business risk,
very bad fire hazard, and probably
a poor moral hazard as well. Folks
who live in SUCH places may not be
overparticular about setting a fire.
Please have it ordered cancelled"
"As l was saying, Betty" he con-
tinued easily, ''this poor couple have
begun a home, all secure In their fan
cied happiness, and then you, a girl
without a 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 freproofiess
shack. They go to sleep dreading
that elixir of life, afraid the house
will burn around them while they
slumber. The noise of the laundry be-
comes prophetic; the kid next door
with fire cracker sets their nerves
jangling. Peace is gone and all be-
ceause a certain fiint-hearted-"
THAT will do, Mr. Phelps. This is
a business office. 1 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 a cold silence. even |
ignoring Jimmy's wistful attempts to
appear cOntrite. And then. one day.
after the company had sustained a
big loss, he came over to Betty's cor
ner, his face aglow, all differences for
gotten.
1--WE got my chance. Betty" he said
eagerly. Il asked for it and I'm go
ing to do inspecting. starting this af-
ternoon with that big loss at W.
I've imagined that you were hard
hearted, Betty, but perhaps if 1 try
to become business man, perhaps"
But Miss Simms totally ignored the
face above her. II can't
ever forgive you" she announced curt
ly, banging away on her noiseless
in an effort to create noise.
She thought, with remorse. of her
words late that afternoon when there
anne rumors that the shaky walls of
he W ruins had collapsed, injuring
several. The company could not get
n touch with its agent and Betty went
lone without her usual appetite for
upper. She tried to eat and at last.
fter several attempts, gave it up and
little shamefacedly went to the tele-
hone.
The voice at the other end of the
telephone seemed cooIly impersonal.
Yes, he has been hurt badly. though
OF seriously"
Gould she come over" There was
moment of silence and then:
I'm sorry, but he thinks you are
robably not really interested and it
ould only be an unnecessary bother"
''I'll be right over" said Miss Betty I
INNS, shortly G
Jimmy's white face grinned above $
lie coverlet. "Tried to be a business r
an. but twas knocked on the head f
st time, by brick, at that. Guess O
can't be nothing but sob sister Z
ERIK" e.
Betty slipped a hand over his one p
bandaged one. "Jim," she said soft I,
sit was mean of me to call you II
at. If you'll just try to get strong ir
on again, rll-well make a business
IN of you-together." .
WEI" he queried family, and as u
e nodded he shook his head mo-
was selfish even to think of such II
NO Rattvo