The herald., 1893-02-26
TWO MEN, ONE WOMAN

Henry Wilmerding's dwelling place
was not in any wild and unsettled part
of the world, where it might be supposed
that personal safety could only be pre-
served by personal caution and personal
daring OF readiness, but in large and
well appointed apartment house, conven-
iently and centrally located on the most
Fashionable avenue in the city. His sit
ting room was richly and comfortably
furnished; there were handsome rugs on
the floor, and the rays from the shaded
lamp fell upon table covered with books
and papers and the latest magexites.
On the walls were many pictures. en-
cravings, etchings and paintings, and on
the top Of the bookcase, which ran around
tho room, were few pieces of well se-
lected bric-a-brac and small statuary,
while the books themselves, which filled
all the cases, were further evidence of his
taste and cultivation.
Surely his was home where he might
feel secure against any violence or attack
of any sort There were chairs about SO
occupant Of them to repose and quiet
and forgetfulness of trouble, but in one
of the easiest Of these, drawn near the
table with the lamp, Henry Wilmerding
sat cleaning a revolver--an occupation
which seemed almost improper or at
least incongruors in such surroundings.
He had removed the cylinder of the pis-
tol from its barrel and stock and was
carefully rubbing it with silk cloth,
while upon the table at his hand were
the cartridges he had taken from its
chambers.
Suddenly the door, which he had care
lessly left unlocked, was opened violent
ly from without, and man entered the
room. Wilmerding rose quickly in as
tonishment and anger, but tho newcomer
said at once:
"Sit DOWN. And taking his hand from
bis overcoat pocket, where it had been
concealed, he pointed a cooked pistol
straight at Wilmerding's breast. Will
herding was overcome by the sudden
ness of the intrusion and the action of
Che man, so terrible in its Significance.
His knees trembled and he sank back into
his chair weak and for the moment un-
nerved, but presently, as he saw the man
looking at him contemtuously, he rallied,
and it was with apparently perfect com.
posure that he said:
"Your command is peremptory and un-
pleasant, but you seem to have the power
TO enforce it. Well?"
The man walked to the other side of
RI,n +a1>1 10 An OBJ eys1 Ter Co..
moment. looking down at Wilmerding.
Then his attention was attracted to the
picture of woman which stood upon
the table in a sort of easel frame. He
struck it violently with his left hand,
knocking it to tho floor.
, "How dare you have that-her picture
--thero?" he asked.
"Oh, see here" Widening answered
In proud carelessness, although he looked
at the pistol still pointing directly to-
ward him and then past it at the angry
eyes Of his visitor, 81 can't change my
arrangements to suit the whiln of an un-
invited and unwelcome guest. Pray,
why have you favored me with this visit,
Mr. David Bradford?'
"You know well enough why I have
come"
Apparently YOU have come to quarrel
with me. You could not have chosen
happier time-for you," Wilmerding
returned as he glanced at his own now
useless pistol.
"Pshawl" Bradford replied as he noted
Che direction of Wilmerding's glance
t'Now / can wait; / can kill you when
please; can be sure that you will feel
all that it means; / can know that you
will appreciate your punishment. Had
you been ready, would have been COM
PEELED 10 be quicker-bhat is all.
"Indeed" asked Wilmerding; ''yet ]
dare say would not have used my pistol
my more than I now core for help This
matter Gun be settled in only one way.
But If you hold that position long your
hand, steady as 1t is, will shake. Sit
down, you will DO more comfortable"
Bradford sat down and folded his
hrns upon the table before him. He
held the pistol, still cooked; but it was
no longer pointed OF Wilmerding. For
kmomert or 30 Bradford looked silently
At Wilmerding, who, whatever fear he
may have felt, showed no sign of it.
"You are cool" Bradford said at last
eyes"
"You nre very cool"
II can be very hot. At present pre-
Ter to be COOL"
"Do,you think that because give you
Eude I may spare youa Do you think
HAT any plea Of youra viii help you"
"When / plead with you, you may re-
tpousd." :" Vpilxnesding rapliAd disdainfulln
tetaining his wonderful communal OF
himself
9And yet life should be very xaeaseut
10 you; ono would think you weuld find
Ewogth yuuF willie to save it.n
1T worAd be mere brayado to say that
I cburt death, /" Wilmsrding repltsa as
RA ahrresea Ais shoulders. II Will not
stooplt to that"
"Yet death is before you--imminent