The Lamar register., 1912-12-04
Fame in
Pursuit

uib Udil-uouT WAN W tuo bIhtiou "a
bis suburban train. II his story in a
current magazine had been a surprise
to his friends, 1t had been. in a 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 a knowi
edge OF the theme and an acQuaint-
lnce OF many men.
A man back of him touched his
shoulder.
How are you, Faltonr
John swung around and caught the
mans hand.
"You. Seabury? Well. this is good.
didn't know that you were at home"
I've Just come in. Ah-does this
n here mean you, Falton2" He tapped
significantly a magazine under his
arm.
John nodded with a little embar-
rassment. what do you think OF 1t,
5eabury?'
Great, as a story. But-er-a bit
100 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 II? And | did not know enough
about II to write It up. The story is
Lotion"
John entered the station with an In
iescribable irritation coursing through
ais veins. Il didn't know that Sea-
bury could be 10 foolish" he NUT
cred.
His train did not go out for nve
minutes. so he made no attempt to
PASS the man who stepped out Of the
crowd to speak to him.
Hello. F'alton. 80 you've been scrib-
bling. see."
"A little" John admitted. He tried
20 forget Seabury and to act natural
". Have you read itf'
20. yes: very good. very good, in
Iced, but just-er-just err. You
iidn't-have any particular person In
nind7"
1T was creation. pure and sim
ple," bristled John. You could hard.
ly expect me to write Of finance as I
would OF engineering. q thing know
nothing aboutf"
20. no. OF course not You have
quite a gift-no doubt-no doubt Of
It. Falton."
Excuse mo-" said John. It'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
EN-. eh? l suppose you've known OF
more than one deal Of that sortf"
None Mt ALL" snapped John.
20, thought you'd taken It from
something that you'd got on to-"
TITS a 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. 'Iet US
have dinner and not the story. Do
you know. honey. I'm bit tired of It."
20. suppose you've heard moth
Ing else all day. poor boy. Well. II
you will be SO clever, you must take
the consequence. But come. I'll say
not another word about 1t 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. land beg your par
don for the intrusion"
mot at all not at ALL" said John.
His offer of chair seemed to escape
Wilson.
Il felt as though must see you"
began Wilson, land didn't wish to
80 to your office. wanted to see you
here and tell you what you've done
for me-"
Falton looked at him inQuiringly. "l
what have l done?"
! your story-you know. I read II
last night and didn't attempt to 60
to bed. Just thought Of things all
night"
my story!" gasped John. Then