New-York tribune., 1921-03-27
GREATEST DAIsAA Short Story @ Arthur Gobb

paul" said Mr.. Lyle, "your pol
icy restrains the insured from bring
ing suit for ninety days after the
loss. That clause does not prevent the
insured from bringing suit the day
of the loss, but in that case we could
plead the contract and make no other
answer until the three months have
expired. / want you to notify Mrs.
Farson that you refuse payment Of
the claim pending further investiga-
! ton, and call her attention to the
ninety-day clause. Don't suggest
that we are looking for suit; just
tell her that she can't start it for a
while, and say also that, if she wants
to talk things over, you await her
commands. Suppose we write the
letter now"
The letter was written, and down
at the bottom of it was line saying
that the bearer would take an an
swer if Mrs. Farson so wished. 1t
was very pleasant and friendly
letter, and Mr.. Waters trusted that
Mrs. Farson would understand the
company's position, and that she
would be in no way inconvenienced
by the delay. The letter was dis
patched, and Mr.. Lyle settled back
in his chair to await developments
as though he didn't have a care in
the world.
And Mr.. Lyle refused to be seri-
GUS till the messenger returned,
bringing with him a note from Mrs.
Farson.
Mrs. Farson was terribly disap-
pointed and did not understand mat
tiers at all, as she had been led to
believe that the insurance company
would pay the claim at once.
Wouldn't Mr.. Waters please come to
see her and tell her what the trouble
was just as soon as he could?
Mr.. Lyle read the note and tossed
it on the desk.
"Call her up," he said, "and ask
her if you and three other repre-
sentatives Of the company can see
her this afternoon at o'clock"
| Paul telephoned and Mrs. Farson
was so glad that they could come at
A o'clock, and she did hope that
things could be arranged.
Walking from his Office to the
Farson house that afternoon, Mr..
Lyle said:
"Young man, I have a feeling in
my bones that this is to be one of
the greatest days of my life. An,
here are the other representatives
of the company. Mr.. Higgins, you
know; let me introduce Mr.. Worth
ington, a notary from my Office"
They went up the Parsons steps
and were admitted by the Farson
butler, who ushered them into Mrs.
Parsons library, and Mrs. Farson
did not keep them waiting, for she
appeared almost Immediately with
her son. She was all smiles and
greeted Paul effusively.
''What is the trouble?" she cried.
"You don't mean to tell me that
there is some hope of getting all my
playthings back?" The prospect of
getting them back was very exciting.
Coming from the brisk outdoor
air into the linn light of the library
had wrought a remarkable change
in Mr.. Lyle. His enthusiasm, the
light in his eyes, his smile, had
flown and there was sad express
sion on his face; he was a little
! bored, little tired, his shoulders
dragged downward and his clothes
fitted him not at all, but lay il,
wrinkles all over him.
"Oh, do tell me!' Mrs. Farson
cried.
Madam" Mr.. Lyle spoke slowly,
drawing Mrs. Parsons attention
from Paul to himself, "there is
some possibility, perhaps a remote
possibility, of returning your jewels
to you. 1t is the policy of the com
pany to pay claims Immediately
on receipt of proof of loss, but in
this case it would much prefer to re-
turn to you the jewels themselves
Undoubtedly you yourself would
much prefer that"
"Oh, Of course"
"And you are, then, willing to dc
without them for a short time rather
than accept their value in cash now
and have them become the property
of the company when, and if, they
are recovered?"
ooh, yes; of course"
"Then I think there is nothing
more to be said. The company ap-
preciates your feelings and your
, kindness to it." Mr.. Lyle bowed q
very little, but enough to suggest
that the interview was at an end.