Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-09-01

4
Then why do we wait, BradfordY
"you have grown tired Of the situa-
ton? do not wonder. have some
thing to ask, however
"a favor to Ask
sYes. You owe me something for the
havoc and ruin you have wrought In my
life"
II have wrought no havoc, no ruin.
for whatever Of ruin you have come TO
you are yourself responsible. II Is you
who should be called upon for payment,
for reparation. But let that 60. ! did
not mean, do not choose to meet any |
accusation you may wish to bring |
against me-"
.As you please; 1t win save time"
eyes; but from your point Of view do
I owe you more than my life win payg"
more, Wilmerding? Far more. What
good win your death do mef 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 1t deliberately" he said.
Yes
''Then II Ia as judge. righteous and
pure. that 1t pleases you to poser
Poser Bradford repeated.
81 think that that 10 the word. IL may
be that you deceive yourself; but you
cannot deceive me. know you too
well, Mr.. Bradford-altogether too well.
You were not happy In your selection of
an audience. But come. This favor
you want granted-what is it?'
Il want a statement; want you to
write and Sign a 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.
Nothing could be simpler or easier to
do than that" he said. but arm afraid
my statement will not crafty you. To
be complete 1t win have TO tell you Of
your relations. too-of your foolish neg
lect. your inhuman cruelty, your falsity
and your baseness."
You may include what you please"
/ sand 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 I want. | 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 il his task were hope
less one, pushed away the paper he had
drawn before him. He leaned back In
his chair.
"Ah. l knew" he said; 81 thought so
You do not want the only statement
can write-that would not serve YOU
purpose. You seek to justify yourself
You do not want the truth; it is moi
, truth you want at all, but lie. / vii
not write IL. Yet thank you"
.Yes; / have given You a chance"
"A chancey" Wilmerding repeated, al
though he did not understand. .
|, thanked you because you had not triet
TO bargain with me; because You had no
offered me my life in exchange for tbs
| lxyspnr fafatx.a1,f xyoxt x.~art That ervaai
dishonor You have spared me and thanl
You"
"But I viii make bargain with You
! will give you your life for the state
ment want"
wiimerding rose. He pushed his chail
from him SO that it fell noisily to th.
floor. For the first time in the interview
: he spoke angrily and without the contro
OF himself he had maintained.
"You scoundrelr' he said. Bradford
rose from his seat, recoiled step or two
raised his pistol, but then lowered II
again as Wilmerding spoke on. ''How
dare you think Of me SO badly? How
dare you think / would purchase ever
, life at such price as THAR You wan
the truth, you say. do love your wife
~ tAttt tfiC tfata fod "AA6 ao i0ts
your wife more than / love life or feal
death. love her, ! say. but no word Of
love from me has ever hurt her ears. NJ
; word of love for me has ever sullied hei
: hips; yet know she loves me. That Il
the most glorious truth know. Sh,
loves me as she never did, never coult
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 pisto
again. his finger ON the trigger.
DO not be impatient" he said. "Yos
may even now change your decision ant
, save your life"
Wilmerding Strengthened himself ans
pulled at his collar rs though he founS
IL hard TO breathe. Then he raised hi
!, hand imploringly.
"waitr" he said. lone minute"
"Ahr' Bradford said "a he smilet
. scornfully. you know the terms"
|. ''And you can think win accep
them? Wait. There in that cabine
behind you
e Bradford smiled again and shook hi
. head. wilmerding OWNED his though
4 ct once.