Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-26
DUEL IN A CHICAGO STUDIO.

the dsuse into which this accomplish
ment has fallen. How this loss of inter-
est in it has come about In more than /
can imagine, because there is something
fascinating in the use OF the foils.'
"'Did you ever fence? inquired the de-
mure painter as she jabbcd blotch of
brilliant orange on her poster canvas.
"'Why, yes-somewhat,' was the an
swer. In fact | used to be very handy
with the foils and it took n good hand to
worst me in n contest of skill. l haven't
done anything in that line, however, for
long time, for the reason that there is
no sport In working with a contestant
who is not somewhere near match
"Ihe subject was dropped, but the
young woman treasured the remark. A
day or two later another masculine mem
Der OF the little colony sat in the same
big, carved chair in the young woman's
studio and, CHANGING to glance at a foil
which decorated the wall, remarked: 'Ah,
that reminds me OF old times. wish
there would be n genuine revival of the
lost art of fencing in this town. I'd just
like TO go into it again. At one time
devoted more hours to the use of the
foils than the pencil or brush
'This gentle boast recalled to the
young woman the remarks of her other
friend, and abe pcndered the two secret
GoaFcssions with wicked and increasing
deliRht. Several days she meditnted mis-
rbicc and smiled with elhsh joy as she
pursned her work. 8y the time she had
anlshsd her poster her plans were ma
tureS. She WAS to rensvc her studio
AMI occupy snothss room with a young
wnman friend. This removal was to be
accomplished Saturday morning, end
has ni fn hAr
nischisvous schemes into execution. As
the vsuDg mrn who had made tho Brst
hossr came Ia Tor another chat she art
fully reverted to ;hc,r rrsv,sus cosversa.
tfcy aud sahs, There Il gcung man In
tewp who has an idea that fancing 10 a
lost ara pnd that there's not any one in
Chicago able 10 stand up against him In
q scientific contest
'Aumph. was the quick retort, I'd
jus, Ike 20 meet that fellow and take a
little Of the conocit ont Of him. Who IS
he anyway
"'Mr. Bruno, answered tho young wo.
man hnd think he will oblige you
any time you feel disposed to meet him.
"Well. you may set it down In your
book that I'm not AFRAID to face him any
time or any place
"lhat evening Mr.. Bruno s;.ud in the
tete with the poster artist before taking
her 10 the theater AS she pushed a pin
through her hat and drew on her gloves
she said; 'You remember what you were
saying the other day about fencing? I'm
afraid you're liloly 10 have an opportu-
nifty 10 BnOw your Wettle. Harold was In
the studio and in the course OF a chat IN
rinuatcd there wasn't man in Chicago
who could handle thr foils with him.
Whom I replied TINT ! thought he was
counting without his host and that he
had forgotten that this was your fayorlte
pastiTue he seemed 10 dcride the idea and
II fact, threw out the suggestion that he
had only TO learn that II would be agree
able to you to meet him In a test OF skill.
"'Well, I'm his man. instantly answer
ed Bruno, and you just tell him 30 fol
me-
"'Oh, no. said the young woman; III
do nothing of the kind Then she laugh
ed and added: But I'll tell you what: /
you can arrange meeting with him yol
may have contest right here In thi
studio. I'm going to move out Saturda!
morning, and you can arrange the aifai
for o'clock that evening, and | will re
tain the keys so l can let you in. Blu
be sure and tell me If anything comes o
II, so that | can be ON hand to let 20
in
"'rhe next afternoon the young woma
was informed that the claims Of the tw
young men were to be settled by frienC
iy contest in the studio. es she had SUI
gested. and that a mutual friend WI
knew something of the use of the fol
was to be present and act as referee. 4
the appointed hour Saturday night Il
Trio was admitted TO the studio by Il
young woman, who excused herself al
took with her the keys. About 10 mi
utcs later she entered the room in whi'
the contest was to take place, bringir
with her a rozen-friends. 'iust TO sec IN