The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-08-15
Fame in
Pursuit

/ John Falton left the trust COM
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. II his story in q
current magazine had been q surprise
to his friends, 1t 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 knowi
edge of the theme and an acQuaint-
Rnce 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.
I didn't know that you we're at home"
I've Just come in. Ah-does this
In here mean you, Falton" He tapped
significantly a magazine under his
arm.
John nodded with a little embar-
rassment. What do you think of it,
Seabury?"
"Great, as q story. But-er-a bit
too much from life, Falton. Looks az
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 1t up. The story is
fiction"
John entered the station with an in
| describable irritation coursing through
his 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 scrib-
| bling, I see."
"A little" John admitted. He tried
to forget Seabury and to act natural
". "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 know
nothing abOut?"
20, no, Of course not. You have
quite a gift-no doubts-no doubt of
It, Falton."
Excuse me-" said John, "I1l miss
my train"
But his fame still pursued. AS the
train pulled out a 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 sort?"
"None at ALL" snapped John. .
20, thought you'd taken it from
something that you'd got on to-" :.
'1t's 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 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, 'let US
have dinner and not the story. Do
you know, honey, I'm bit tired of II"
20, suppose you've heard moth
i:g 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 I beg your par
don for the intrusion"
Not at all, not at ALL" said John.
His offer Of chair seemed to escape
Wilson.
| Il felt as though must see you"
began Wilson, "and I didn't wish to
60 to your Office. 1 wanted to see you
here and tell you what you've done
| for me-"
Falton looked at him inquiringly. IT
what have I done?"
| "Your story-you know. I read It
last night and l 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-T know that I am lawyer,
but what difference does 1t make what
a 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 mirror to me. I've never real
lied what / was coming to before.
You've stopped me just in time. Now,
rye only time to shake your hand, IL
you will let me, and catch the train
70 tho oifvv