Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-09-10
Fame in Y
.,,, Pursuit

pany's building with quick, spring1nG
steps. He had much to think Of In
his half-hour walk to the station OF
his suburban train. II his story in q
current magazine had been a SURPRISE
to his friends, it had been, in wayd
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 acquaint4
| ance OF many men.
A man back Of him touched hid
shoulder.
How are you, FaltOn?"
| John swung around and caught the
mans hand.
"You, seabury7 Well, this is goods
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 a magazine under MN
arm.
John nodded with little embarl
rassment. What do you think OF IN
Seabury?"
Great, as q story. But-er-a bit
too much from life, FaltOn. Looks ar
though you'd taken It from-er-thae
cotton deal"
That's nonsense, Seabury. Your
cotton deal was wholly legitimateA
wasn't it? And I did not know enough
about it to write 1t up. The story -
! 6ction."
John entered the station with an ina
describable Irritation coursing through
his veins. II didn't know that Sea-
bury could be so foolish" he mute
tered
His train did not go out for hvd
minutes, 80 he made no attempt TO-
pass the man who stepped ont Of the
crowd to speak to him.
Hello, Falton, so you've been serbs
bling, I 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 q creation, pure and sip1
ple," bristled John. You could hard-
Iy expect me to write of finance rs =
would of engineering, thing know,
nothing about?"
/ 20, no, Of course not You have
quite gift-no doubt-nO doubt OF
It. Falton."
Excuse me-" said John, I'll miss
my train"
I,.& ~ Gov o%S An th0
train pulled out fellow-townsman
settled himself beside John.
well, Falton, you've been roasting
'em, Ell? i suppose you've known OF
more than one deal Of that sort1'
/ None at ALL" snapped John.
20, thought you'd taken 1t from.
something that you'd got on to-"
Its a story, fiction, every word.
I Forty minutes later John closed the
door of his home with sigh Of re-l
lief Mother" he called, and she
came hurrying to him.
i 20, John, I've SO much to tell you.i
First Mrs Elswood came here this
morning. She was so surprised, John.
But she thinks the story
Mother" he interrupted, 'let us
have dinner and not the story. Do
you know, honey, I'm a bit tired Of 1t. =
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. III 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 I beg your par
don for the intrusion"
mot at all. not at ALL" said John.
His offer Of chair seemed to escape
| Wilson.
II felt as though must see you.-
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 'I
what have done?"
"Your story-you know. I read Il
last night and didn't attempt to go
to bed. Just thought of things ALI
night
my story" gasped John. Then,
he added in rebellion: Patience. man.
but you're lawyer"
| "Yes--I know that I am a lawyer.
but what difference does 1t make what
man is doing. If he's on the crooked.
or course. know you didn't have me
in mind-probably had no one mi
mind. but something in that story was,
like mirror to me-. I've never real-i
lied what was coming to before
You've stopped me just in time Now
I've only time to shake your hand, III
you win let me, and catch the train
| n, tho cffv -