The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-11-20
Fame in
Pursuit

pany's building with quick, springing
steps. He had much to think of in
his half-hour walk to the station OF
his suburban train. If his story In
current magazine had been surprise
to his friends, it had been, in way,
none the less one to himself. 1t was
not remarkable that the story should
be one of finance; his position with
the trust company gave him knowl-
edge Of the theme and an acQucfnt-
ance Of many men.
A man back of him touched his
shoulder.
How are you, Falton?"
John swung around and caught the
mans hand.
"You, Seabury? Well, this Is good.
didn't know that you were at home"
1--WE just come in. Ah-does this
in here mean you, Falton?" He tapped
significantly a magazine under his
arm.
John nodded with little embar-
rassment. What do you think Of it,
Seabury?'
"Great, as story. But-er-a BIT
too much from life, Falton. Looks as
though you'd taken It from-er-that
cotton DEAL"
That's nonsense, Seabury. Your
cotton deal was wholly legitimate,
wasn't it? And l did not know enough
about it to write it up. The story Is
fiction"
John entered the station with an in
describable irritation coursing through
his veins. II didn't know that Sea-
bury could be so foolish" he NUT
tered.
His train did not go out for five
minutes, so he made no attempt to
pass the man who stepped out OF the
crowd to speak to him.
"Hello, Falton, so you've been scrib-
bling, see."
"A little" John admitted. He tried
to forget Seabury and to act natural
ly. Have you read it,"
20, yes; very good, very good. In
deed, but just-er-just err. YOU
didn't-have any particular person In
mind?"
1T was a creation, pure and sim
ple," bristled John. "You could hard.
ly expect me to write of finance as
would of engineering, thing I know
nothing about?"
20, no, of course not. You have
quite gift-no doubt-no doubt OF
1t. Falton."
Excuse me-" said John, I'll miss
my train"
But his fame still pursued. AS the
train pulled out fellow-townsman
settled himself beside John.
"Well. Falton, you've been roasting
'em, eh? suppose you've known OF
more than one deal of that sort?"
None at ALL" snapped John.
20, I thought you'd taken it from
something that you'd got on to-"
TITS story, fiction, every word"
Forty minutes later John closed the
door Of his home with a sigh Of re-
lief Mother" he called, and she
came hurrying to him.
20, John, I've so much to tell you.
First, Mrs. Elswood came here this
morning. She was SO surprised, John.
But she thinks the story"
Mother" he interrupted, 'slet us
have dinner and not the story. Do
you know, honey, I'm bit tired Of II"
20, suppose you've heard moth.
ing else all day, poor boy. Well, If
you will be so clever, you must take
the consequence. But come, I'll say
not another word about it until you
are rested. Maggie has the loveliest
surprise for dessert"
John had just finished the surprise
when the doorbell rang. Maggie show.
ed the man into the little room where
John sometimes smoked and wrote,
and John held Stanton Wilson's card
in his hand when he entered the room.
He had known Wilson at college.
Their paths had crossed more than
once since, but the men had never
been friends.
you are surprised" Wilson said,
coming forward. "and beg your par
don for the intrusion"
MOI at I'LL, NOt az I'LL, SdAu JOAA'
His offer Of a chair seemed to escape
Wilson.
II felt as though must see yoa,"
began Wilson, "and didn't wish to
20 to your office. I wanted to see you
here and tell you what you've done
for me-"
Falton looked at him inquiringly. Il
what have I done?"
your story-you know. I read It
last night and I didn't attempt to go
to bed. I just thought Of things all
night"
my story!' gasped John. Then
he added in rebellion: patience, man,
but you're lawyer"
"Yes-I know that I am lawyer,
but what difference does it make what
man is doing, If he's on the crooked.
OF course, I know you didn't have me
in mind-probably had no one in
mind, but something in that story was
like a mirror to me. I've never real
iZed what was coming to before.