Murray noted the confidence of Lake’s tone and manner, and drew the check.
“What are you going to do with it?” he asked.
“Pay a life insurance premium,” laughed Lake. “Give me an application blank and round up a medical examiner. I want a twenty-year endowment policy for twenty thousand dollars, and I want it put through like a limited express that’s trying to make up time.”
“I suppose you know what you’re doing,” said Murray doubtfully.
“You bet I do!” Lake spoke confidently.
“Oh, very well,” remarked Murray. “I don’t see how I can refuse business for the company, even if I stand to lose.”
“You won’t lose,” declared Lake with joyous enthusiasm. “I’m going to show you a new trick in the line of insurance financiering.”
After that, Lake haunted Murray’s office, and grew daily more anxious. He was a good risk, but certain formalities were necessary, and these took time, although Murray did his utmost to shorten the routine. Lake’s nervousness increased; he had Murray telegraph the home office; he grew haggard, for he had not counted on this delay; but finally, in the moment of almost utter despair, the policy was delivered to him. An hour later he was in Belden’s office.
“I want twenty thousand at four per cent., payable at the rate of one thousand a year, with interest!” he cried. “I’ll pay it, to a certainty, within sixty days, but I’m trying to make it look more reasonable, to satisfy you. You believe I can pay one thousand a year, don’t you?”
“If you live.”