The Portland daily press., 1893-01-28
retaining his wonderful command of

retaining his wonderful command of
himself.
"And yet life should be very pleasant
to you; one would think you would lind
it worth your while to save it,"
9sIt would be mere bravado to say that
I court DEATH" Wilmerding replied as
he shrugged his shoulders. 81 will not
stoop to that"
"Yet death is before you-imminent
and certain"
"You are very cool too"
81 am. Yet man never had greater
reason to lose his self control than 1; no
man ever had greater cause for passion
or anger than I. My very GOODNESS
makes my purpose more certain. Pas
sion will not blind me. I will not lose
my way"
'Then why do we wait, Bradford"
'You have grown tired of the situa-
ton? do not wonder. I have some
thing to ask, however"
ga favor to ask?"
Eyes. You owe me something for the
havoc and ruin you have wrought in my
Life"
81 have wrought no havoc, no ruin,
for whatever of ruin you have come to
you are yourself responsible. It is you
who should be called upon for payment,
for reparation. But let that go. did
not mean, do not choose to meet any
accusation you may wish to bring
against me.
''As you please; it will save time"
Eyes; but from your point of view do
l owe you more than my life will pay?"
More Wilmerding? Far more. What
good will your death do me? Do you
think that have failed to consider the
cost Of my step to me? 1t is punish
ment for you, not reward for me, that
propose to seek in this way"
AS Bradford spoke he unfolded his
arms and touched gently, with the fin
gers of his left hand, his pistol. Viii
merding did not show that he noted the
action Of Bradford. He laughed coolly.
"You must have arrived at your judg-
ment and planned this-this execution
of it deliberately" he said.
eyes"
"Then it is as judge, righteous and
pure. that it pleases you to pose"
'sPose?' Bradford repeated.
ssI think that that is the word. It may
be that you deceive yourself; but you
cannot deceive me. know you too
well, Mr.. Bradford altogether too we'll.
You were not happy in your selection of
an audience. But come. This favor
you want granted-what is it?"
Il want statement; want you to
write and sign statement of your re-
lations with my WIFE"
Wilmerding expressed his astonish-
ment that such favor should be asked
of him in long, low whistle. He looked
sharply and questioningly at Bradford,
in whose determined face and unchanging
attitude there was no indication that he
meant either to relent in his purpose or
relax his vigilance. Then Wilmerding
moved closer to the table and drew paper
before him.
s.Nothing could be simpler or easier to
do than that" he said, sbut am afraid
my statement will not crafty you. To
be complete it will have to tell you of
your relations, too--of your foolish neg
lect, your inhunan cruelty, your falsity
and your baseness."
-"You may include what you please.
"And as for my relations, why should
/ not write of them? The whole world
may know of them as well as not.
''That is not what want. lido not
care for only a statement of what the
world knows or may know. That would
not be worth the asking for"
''Thenn-- Wilmerding began, but
Bradford interrupted him.
F.. s'Iwant a complete Statements truth
full statement, no matter who is harmed,
no matter who is incriminated."
Wilmerding, as if his task were hope
less one, pushed away the paper he bad
drawn before him. He leaned back in
his chair.
"Ah, knew" he said; 81 thought so.
You do not want the only statement I
can write-that would not serve your
purpose. You seek to justify yourself.
You do not want the truth; it is not
truth you want at all, but lie. will
not write it. Yet thank you.
eyes; have given you a chance"
"a CHANGER Wilmerding repeated, as
though he did not understand. 81
thanked you because you had not tried
to bargain with me; because you had not
offered me my life in exchange for the
lying statement you want. That great
dishonor you have spared me and I thank
you"
''But / will make bargain with you;
I will give you your life for the state
ment want"
Wilmerding rose. He pushed his chair
from him SO that it fell noisily to the
floor. For the first time in the interview
be spoke angrily and without the control
of himself he had maintained.
"You scoundrelr' he said. Bradford
rose from his seat, recoiled step or two,
raised his pistol, but then lowered it
again as Wilmerding spoke on. GLOW
dare you think of me SO badly? How
dare you think I would purchase even
life at such price as that? You want
the truth, you say. I do love your wife.