The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-01-10
A RISK ROMANCE
BY MINNIE M. TOWNSEND. {
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%. 1920. by McClur. Newspaper syndie.t.)

Betty SlmmS or DIG western MsuF-
ance company opened one of their
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 = 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.
We'll have to have this appliea-
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, "it's
nothing hut an old shack, surrounded
on all sides by dilapidated buildings.
On this side is 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. Il know. hut if ever good fire
got started in that neighbOrhOod
there wouldn't he 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 Honpluscd
Il grant You that, but" he leaned
closer and to all intent was engaged
IN strictly business conversation
but Betty dear, have you no heart"
Betty gIared. What are YOU driv-
ing at? This is poor business risk,
very bad fire hazard. and probably
poor moral hazard as Well. Folks
who live i'm suCn places may not he
OverpartiCular about setting fire.
Please have it ordered cancelled"
las I was saying, Betty" he CON
tinued easily, this poor couple have
begun Il home, all secure in their fan
cied happiness, and then you, Il 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 freproofess
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 a fire cracker sets their nerves
fan&ling. Peace is gone and all be-
ceause a certain flint-hearted-"
THAT will do. Mr.. Phelps. This is
a business office. I try to be a bust
hgT% rIy-
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 10 do inspecting. starting this af-
ternOon with that big loss at W.
I've imagined that you were hard
hearted. Betty, but perhaps if l try
TO become business man, perhaps
But Miss Simms totally ignored the
mischieyOuS face above her. Il can't
ever forgive yOu," she announced curt
Iy, banging away on her noiSeless
typewriter in an effort to create noise
She thought. with remorse. of hel
"a of
came rumOrS that the shaky walls OF
the W ruins had collapsed, injurins
several. The company could not get
in touch with its agent and Betty went
home without her usual appetite fol
supper. She tried to eat and at last
after several attempts, gave it up anC
little Shamefacedly went to the tele
phone,
The voice at the other end of th(
telephone seemed coo!ly impersonal
Eyes, he has been hurt badly, though
not seriously"
Gould she come over?" There wa.
q moment of silence and then:
I'm sorry, but he thinks you ar,
probably not really interested and f
would only be an unnecessary bother
I'll be right over" said Miss Bett!
Simms, shortly.
Jimmy's white face grfnned abov,
the coverlet Tried to be a bushes
man, but twas knocked on the hea,
first time, by a brick, at that Cues
I can't be nothing but a sob sister
clerk"
Betty slipped a hand over his En-
unbandaged one. Jim" she said soft
~, 1T was mean of me to call yo
that. If you'll just try to get stron
soon again, Ill-we'll make bushes
man of yOu-tOgether"
We lie queried family, and a
she nodded. he shook his head ~,
il was selfish even TO think of such
thing. Betty"
1t wasn't If YOU have Withdraw
the dozen proposals, Jimmy Phelps, L
take u leap years opportunity. w