The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-02-07

and there try to conquer this selfish
passion"
"But, Mr.. Stone-Bailyl You new
er asked me if II loved ycu," said
Alma, her face covered with bushes.
"Alma, do not trihe with my feel
ings! Do you bid me hope? Do
lyou think you could learn to love
me?7
81 do really, dear Baily"
Baily Stone pressed her to his
breast and imprinted his first kiss
upon her lips. But they did not
know they had a listener.
"But your father will never give
his consent to our union, dearest, /"
said Bailey when he had in a man
ner recovered from his great JOY.
81 think he will" said Alma in
hopeful tone. keep it a secret for
few days, and I win tell you when
to ask him"
The sound of footsteps upon the
stairs put an end to their converse
tion, and George Knight entered the
room; soon after he and Alma de-
parted.
Bailey Stone finished the portrait,
and delivered it to Mr.. Freeman,
who was perfectly delighted with it,
and he paid Bailey a good price.
Perhaps if Mr.. Freeman had known
what mischief the painting of that
portrait had done him, ne might not
have been so pleased.
Alma accompanied Bailey to the
door, and whispered few words of
comfort and encouragement to him.
Bailey Stone left Freeman's house
with light heart and bright antici-
patton of future joy. He had not
proceeded far when he was hailed
with
"Hullo, Bailey! where are you 60
ing?" and turning, he confronted his
particular friend, John Comm.
81 am bound for no place in par
ticular, friend john" Bailey answer
ed.
"Then suppose we go and play
game Of billiardsp
"Well as 1 have nothing else to do
will"
They proceeded to the nearest bill
lard saloon, and were soon deeply
engaged in that fascinating game.
After playing a short time a party
of young men entered the saloon
George Knight among the number
and engaged the table next to the
one which Bailey and his friend were
using. Some of the party were in
toxicated, and they soon became
very noisy in their conversation.
Suddenly one of them said
81 say Knight, I heard you were
to be married soon. Is it trueP'
eyes, Summerfeld, for once ru-
NOR is correct"
"May enquire the naEe of the
angel who has at last captured the
steel-bound heart of our mutual
friend, Mr.. George Knight?' said
another of the party, in tones of
drunken raillery.
'AIiss Alma Freeman" was the
answer, in a low tone.
This was more than Bailey could
stand to hear Alma's name banded
about in a public saloon; and, walk
ing up to George Knight, he said,-
"Mr. Knight, if you say that Miss
Alma Freeman is engaged to you,
you utter a he"
The face of George Knight turned
deathly pale, and without uttering a
single word he aimed blow at Bal
ley, which the latter parried, just in
time to send one straight "from the
shoulder" causing George Knight
to measure his length on the floor.
He arose to his feet, completely So
bered, and, with the look of demon
hissed.-
"You shall hear from nae, Mr..
Stone, within the next twelve hours" :"
"When and where you will, Mr..
Knight" Bailey answered calmy;
and he and John Comm left the sa-
loon.
"Will you act for me, Johnp Bal
ley said, when they reached the
street
81 am in hopes that this unfortu-
nate affair can be settled without
recourse to arms." Comm answer
ed.
"You know, John, you are speak
ing against your own convictions.
1 have struck Knight, and with all
his faults, he is no coward. He will
challenge me, and l shall accept il"
"In this case, as a matter of course
l will stand by you"
"Then be at my room at nine o.
clock tomorrow morning"
They soon separated and Bailey
went to his room and sat down to
think. He knew that q duel was in
eyitable. He had no fear of this
meeting, for he knew that he was
acting in the right. The thought of
Alma was all that troubled him. He
determined that she should know
nothing ofthis until it was over. As
he was too restless to sleep, he de
termined to walk around the city for
a while. He took no heed as to the
direction he was taking, when sud-
denly he was startled by the fearful
cry of "Fire! Fire"
Two days after the fire, Bailey
Stone was seated in his studio, busy
at work on a picture, when he was
surprised by the entrance of police
officer.
Mr.. Bailey Stone, I believer
eyes, that is my name" was the
answer.
'Then, sir, you are my prisoner~
"Your prisonerp exclaimed Bal
lay, in a tone of surprise. "Upon
what charger
"That of arson ~
"There is some mistake. Who
dares to accuse me ofsuch a heinous
crime?"