The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-08-08
Fame In
Pursuit

/ AOllG TIC lGSS OuC W illil6ells II W d6
not remarkable that the story should
i be one of finance; his position with
the trust company gave him knowl-
i edge of the theme and an acquaint.
ance of many men.
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.
didn't know that you were 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 a story. But-er-a bit
too 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 1t? And 1 did not know enough
about it to write it up. The story is
fiction"
John entered the station with an IN
describable irritation coursing through
his veins. 81 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
ly. Have you read IT."
20, yes; very good, very good, in
deed, but just-er-just er--. You
didn't-haye any particular person in
mind?"
ut was a creation, pure and sim
ly expect me to write of finance as |
would of engineering, a thing l know
nothing about?"
20, no, of course not. You have
quite a gift-no doubt-no doubt of
it. Falton."
Excuse me-" said John, I'll miss
my train"
But his fame still pursued AS the
train pulled out a fellow-townsman
settled himself beside John
We'll. 'Falton, you've been roasting
EN-, Ell? l suppose you've known of
more than one deal of that sort?"
Meme at 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, "let us
have dinner and not the story. Do
you know, honey, I'm bit tired Of it. "
20. I suppose you've heard moth
ing 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 loyeliest
surprise for dessert"
John had just finished the surprise
whsn the doorbell rang Maggie show
ed the man into the little room where
John sometimes smoked and wrote,
u I'll nd
in his hand when 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, "and I beg your par
don for the intrusion"
mot at all not at all" said John.
His offer of a chair seemed to escape
Wilson.
II felt as though I must see you,
began Wilson. land I didn't wish to
go to your office I wanted to see you
here and tell you what you've done
for me"
Falton looked at him inquiringly Il
what have | done?"
your story-you know. I read II
Ian night and l didn't attempt to 90
to bed. Just thought of things all
night"
my story" gasped John Then
he added In rebellion: patience, man.
but you're a 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.
OF course. l know you didn't have me
in mind-probably had no one in
mind, but something in that story was
like a mirror to me. I've never real
lied what l was coming to before.
You've stopped me just In time. Now,
I've only time to shake your hand, If
you will let me, and catch the train
to the city"
Falton laughed lightly. but he
squared his shoulders. You're put
ting it too strong, Wilson," he said,
as he held out his hand your debt
to me, If there was one, is paid. If
you really mean that I've made clear
to you truths vague before, why,
you've more than balanced our &C
count. You've givon me faith in my
self"
Are Ever At War.