Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-10-04
Fame in
Pursuit

his half-hour walk to the station OF
his suburban train. II his story In
current magazine had been 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 knowl
edge of the theme and an acquaint
ance of many men
A man back of him touched his
shoulder.
"How are you. Fsltcnr
John swung around and caught the
mans hand.
"You, Seabury? Well. this is good.
I didn't know that you were at home. ;"
1--WE just come in. Ah-does this
In here mean you, Falton?" He tapped
significantly magazine under his
arm.
John nodded with a little embar
rassment. What do you think OF It
seabury"
Great, as story. But-er-a bill
too much from life, Falton. Looks as
though you'd taken it from-er-that
cotton DEAL"
That's nonsense, Seabury. Youl
cotton deal was wholly legitimate
wasn't it? And did not know enough
about it to write it up. The story IL
action"
John entered the station with an in
describable irritation coursing through
bis veins. 'T 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 serb
bling. see"
"a little" John admitted. He tried
to forget Seabury and to act natural
ly. "Haye you read 1T?
20, yes; very good, very good, In
deed, but just-er-just err. You
didn't-haye any particular person In.
nlnd?"
ut was creation. pure and sim.
pie" brtstled John. "You could hard.
ly expect me to write Of finance as
would of engineering, thing ] know
nothing about?'
20, no, Of course not. You have
quite a gift-no doubt-no doubt OF
It. Falton."
Excuse me-" said John, 'I1l miss
my train"
But his fame still pursued. AS the
train pulled out fellow-townsman
yettled himself beside John.
well, Falton. you've been roasting
EN-, Ell? I suppose you've known OF
more than one deal Of that sort?
'None at ALL" snapped John.
20, thought you'd taken 1t from
something that you'd got on to-"
TITS story. fiction, every word"
Forty minutes later John closed the
door OF his home with sigh OF re-
lief. Mother" he called. and she
came hurrying to him.
20, John, I've 80 much to tell you.
First, Mrs. Elswood came here this
morning. She was so surprised, John.
But she thinks the story"
Mother" he interrupted, '1et US
have dinner and not the story. Do
you know, honey, I'm bit tired Of It,"
20, 1 suppose you've heard moth
ing else all day. poor boy. Well. II
you will be 80 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, "and beg your par.
don for the intrusion"
mot at all, not at ALL" said John.
His offer Of chair seemed to escape
Wilson.
ct felt as though I must see you,A
began Wilson, "and didn't wish to
go to your Office. wanted to see you
here and tell you what you've done
for me-"
Falton looked at him inquiringly u
what have I done?"
"Your story-you know. I read II
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 q lawyer"
"Yes-f know that I am lawyer,
but what difference does 1t make what
man is doing, II he's on the crooked.
OF course, know you didn't have me
in mind-probably had no one In
mind, but something in that story was
like q mirror to me. I've never real.
ized what / was coming to before.
You've stopped me just in time Now,
I've only time to shake your hand, II
you will let me. and catch the train
to the city"
Falton laughed lightly, but he
squared his shoulders. You're put
ting 1t too strong. Wilson" he said.
as he held out his hand. "Your debt
to me, If there was one, is paid. Il
you really mean that I've made cleaI
to you truths vague before. why,