The Portland daily press., 1893-01-28
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 or readiness. but in a 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 magazines.
On the walls were many pictures, en-
cravings, etchings and paintings, and on
the top of the bookcase, which ran around
the room, were few pieces of well Sc
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
Vi ally pOl LACl Q w ClO Oacll . cDDOoO %
comfortable as to invite any occasional
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 incong1uous in such surroundings.
He had removed the cylinder of the PTS
toll from is barrel and stock and was
carefully rubbing it with a 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 Wil1neSding rose quickly in as
constituent AID anger, but the newcomer
said at once:
sit DOWN. And taking his hand from
his overcoat pocket, where it had been
concealed. he pointed cooked pistol
straight at Wilmerding's breast. Will
merding was overcome by the sudden
ness of the intrusion and the action of
the man, SO terrible in its significance.
His knees tremb and he sank back into
his chair weak and for the moment I'M
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 I'M
pleasant, but you seem to have the power
to enforss 1t. WE'LL"
Tbe NAN walked to the other side of
the table. where he stood silently for a
moment, looking down at Wilmerding.
Then his attention was attracted to the
picture of woman which stood upon
the table in sort Of easel,frame. He
struck it violently with his left hand,
knocking it to the floor.
"Eow dare you have that-her picture
-there" he asked.
"Oh, see here" Widening answered
in proud carelessness, although he looked
at the pistol still pointing directly to-
ward h11a and then past it at the angry
eyes of his visitor, II can't change my
arrangem ants to suit the whim of an I'M
invited ard unwelcome guest. Pray,
why have you favored me with this visit,
Mr.. David BradfordT'
"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.
1'Pshaw!" Bradford replied as he noted
the direction of Wilmerding's glance.
*.Now can wait; can kill you when
] please; I can be sure that you will feel
all that it means; can know that you
will appreciate your punishment. Had
you been ready, I would have been COM
PEELED to be quicker-that is ALL"
''Indeed~ asked Wilmerding; ''yet l
dare say would not have used my pistol
any more than now care for help. This
matter can be settled in only one way.
But if you hold that position long your
hand, steady as it is, will shake. Sit
down, you will be more comfortable"
Bradford sat down and folded his
arms upon the table before him. He
held the pistol, still cooked; but it was
no longer pointed at failmerding. For
moment or SO Bradford looked silently
at Wilmerding, who, whatever fear he
may bave felt, showed no sign of it.
"You are COOL" Bradford said at last.
"Yes."
"You are very COOL"
81 can be very hot. At present / pre-
fer to be cool"
do you think that because give you
time may spare you? Do you think
that any plea of yours will help your"
when plead with you, you may re-
spond," Wilmerding replied disdainfully,