The herald., 1893-02-26
and certain

or anger than I. My very coelness
makes my purpose more certain. Pas
sion will not bind me. I will not lose
my way"
''Then why do we wait, Bradfordp"
"You have grown tired of the situa-
tion? do not wonder. I have some
thing TO ask, however"
"a favor to ask?'
"Yes. You owe me something for the
havoc ard ruin you have wrought in my
ife."
II 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. 1 did
not mean, do not choose to meet any
accusation you may wish to bring
against me-"
GAS you please; it will save time"
eyes; but from your point of view do
] owe you more than my life viii payY'
More, Wilmerdinga Far more. What
good will your death do mea Do you
think that I 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 VII
merding did not show that he noted this
action of Bradford He laughed coolly.
"You nIust have arrived at your judg-
ment and planned this-this execution
0f IL 1alibaratelv - ha said
eyes"
"Then it is as judge, righteous and
pure, that it pleases you to poser
"Pose?" Bradford repeated.
81 think that that is the word It may
be that you deceive yourself; but you
cannot deceive me. 1 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 it2"
81 want o statement; l want you to
write and sign statement of your re-
iations with my wife"
Wilmerding expressed his astonish-
ment that such favor should be asked
of him in a 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 Wilnerding
moved closer to the table and drew paper
before him.
Nothing could be simpler or easier to
do than that" he said, ''but 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 inhuman cruelty, your falsity
end 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 l want. l do not
care for only statement of what the
world knows or may know. That would
not be worth the asking for"
Then Wilmerding began, but
Bradford interrupted him.
'Iwant complete statement--a truth
full statement, no matter who is harmed,
no matter who is incriminated."
Wilmerding, as if his task were ahopa,
less one, pushed away thepaper he had
drawn before him. He leaned back in
his chair. g sssJ 10 seal g
'Ah, knew" he said; IT thought so.
You do not want the only statement
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. I will
not write it. Yet thank you"
eyes; have given you chance"
ga 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 thank
you"
'But will make bargain with you;
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
he spoke angrily and without the control
Of himself he had maintained.
"You scoundrell" he said. Bradford
rose from his seat, recoiled step OF two,
raised his pistol, but then lowered it
again as Wilmerding spoke on. "How
dare you think of me SO badlyp How
dare you think would purchase even
life at such price as that? You want
the truth, you say. do love your wife.
Is that the truth you want? / do love
your wife more than love life or fear
death. Ilove her, say but no word of
love from me has ever hurt her ears. No
word Of love for me has ever sullied her
lips; yet know she loves me. That is
the most glorious truth I know. Size
loves me as she never did, never could
have loved you"
Wilmerding, as though now he only
wished that some end might be brought
to the interview, any end to the suspense,
leaned far over the table toward Brad.
ford and pulled his waistcoat open i'm
patiently. Bradford raised his pistol
again, his finger ON the trigger.
"Do not be impatient, he said. "You
may even now change your decision and
save, your LIFE"
Wilmerding stTaightened himself and
pulled at his coSlar as though he found
1t hard to breathe. Then he raised his
naHS awaisIs 1saRs0s'es;s ss ssla, zone minute.
"Ahp Bradford said as he smiled
scornfully. "You know the TERMS"
''Aud you can think I will accept