The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-08-01
Fame IN
Pursuit

John Falton left the trust com,
pany's building with quick, springina
steps. He had much TO- think Of IN
bic half-hour walk to the station Of
his suburban train. II his story In q
current magazine had been surprise
to his friends. 1t had been, in a way,
none the less one to himself. It was
not remarkable that the story should
be one Of finance: his position with
the trust company gave him a knowl.
edge Of the theme and an acquaint.
ance Of many men.
A man back Of him touched hih
shoulder.
How are you. Faltonf"
John swung around and caught the
mans hand. @
you. seabury7 Well. this il good.
didn't know that you were ct home"
I've just come In. Aides this
in here mean you, Faltonf" He tapped
significantly q magazine under his
arm.
John nodded with . little embar
rassment. what do you think Of It,
seabury?"
Great, as q story. But-er-a bit
too much from life, Falton; Looks al
though you'd taken 1t from-er-that
cotton deal"
That's nonsense. seabu1x. Your
cotton deal was wholly legitimate,
wasn't It? And I did not know enough,
about It to write 1t up. The story ID
fiction"
John entered the station with an in.
describable irritation coursing through
his veins. II didn't know that Sea.
bury could be 90 foolish" he NUT
tered. r..
His train did not 30 out for I'VE
minutes. 20 he made no attempt to
pass the man who stepped out Of the
crowd to speak to him. ~
Hello. Falton. 20 you've been scrib;
bling, see"
"A little" John admitted. H tried
TO forget seabury and to act natural.
". Have you read 1T" n :
20, yes; very good. very good, in.
deed, but just-er-just err You
hidnt-have any particular person In
mind3" 4
1T was . creation. pure and sim.
pie" bristled John. you could hard.
~ expect me to write of finance a. I
would Of engineering. q thing I know
nothing aboutr
20. no. Of course not. You have
quite gift-no doubt-no doubt Of
1t. Falton." "a y
Excuse me-" said John. .11l miss
my train.' ~ee
But his fame still pursued. As the
train pulled out a iellow-townsman
settled himself beside John.
well, Falton, you've been roasting
Fem, eh7 I suppose you've known of
more than one deal Of that sorta.'
''None at ALL" snapped Johns
20, thought you'd taken 1t 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 80 much to tell you.
First. Mrs. Elswood came here this
morning. She was 80 surprised. John.
But she thinks the story" -
Mother" he interrupted, '1et us
have dinner and not the story.e 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 10 clever. you mustaHake
the consequence. But come, I'll say
mot another word about Il until you
are rested. Maggie has the lovpliest
surprise for dessert"
John had just finished the surprise
when the doorbell rang. Maggie show.
ed the man into the little room whsrs
John sometimes smoked and wrote.
and John held Stanton Wilson's card
IN his hand whom he entered the room.
He had known Wilson at college.
Their paths had crossed moro 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" !.
NOT at Ill, not at Ill" said John:
His offer Of Q chair seemed to esoapc
Wilson.
II felt a. though I must go you,
began Wilson, and didn't wish TO
30 to your once. I wanted to Sc you
here and tell you what you've done
for me-" q.
Falton looked at him inquiringly. ri
what have I donef'
'Your story-you know. read q
last night and I didn't attempt to 60
to bed. Just thought Of things Ill
night" -
my gtory!" gasped John. Then
he added In rebellion: Patience, man,
but you're lawyer" !.
'Yes-I know that I am q lawyer.
but what difference does It make what
p man 10 doing, II he's on the crooked.