Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-03-02
Two nen,
One Woman

Henry Wilmerding's dwelling place
was not in any wild and unsettled part
of the world, where il might he sup
posed that personal safety could only
he preserved by personal daring. and
it was therefore all the more strange
to see him occupied 50 intently in
cleaning a large revolver. He was
doing his work thoroughly. TOO, for he
had removed the cylinder of the pistol
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
carelessly left unlocked, was opened
violently from without. and man
entered the room. Wilmerding rose
quickly in astonishment and anger,
hut the newcomer said at once:
Sit down.
And taking his hand from his over
coat pocket, where it had been con.
cealed, he pointed cooked pistol
straight at Wilmerding's breast.
Wilmerding was overcome by the
suddenness OF the intrusion and the
action of the man, 80 terrible in lis
significance. His knees trembled, and
he sank back into his chair weak and
for the moment unnerved. but present.
", us he saw the man looking ut him
contemptuously, he rallied. and it was
with apparent perfect composure that
he said:
"Iour command is peremptory and
unpleasant, but YOU seem to have the
power TO enforce it. Well"
The man walked TO the other side
of the table, where he stood silently
tor moment, looking down at vii
merding Then his attention was
attracted to the picture OF II woman
which sto upon the table in II sort
of easel frame. He struck it violently
with his left hand, knocking it to the
floor.
How dare you have that-her
piclure-ihere he asked.
"Oh. see here" Wilmerdng an
swered in proud carelessness, although
he looked at the pistol still pointing
directly toward him, and then past it
at the angry ewes of the visitor. Il
can't change my arrangements to suit
the whim of an uninvited and unwel
come guest. Pray, why have you
favored me with this visit, Mr.. David
Bradford ?"
You know well enough why have
come"
Apparently YOU have come To
quarrel with me. You could not have
chosen a happier time-for You vii
merding returned as he glanced at his
own now useless pistol.
''Pshawv Bradford replied as he
noted the direction of Wilmerding'
glance. Now, can wait. can
kill You when | please. | can he sure
that you will feel all that it means.
can know that you will appreciate
your punishment Had You been
ready would have been compelled to
be quicker. that is ALL"
Indeed p said WiImerding. yet
dare say | would not have used m,
pistol any more than now care fol
help. This matter can be settled il
only one way. But if you hold thai
position long pour hand. steady as i,
is, will shake. Sit down. You viii
he more comfortable.
Bradford sat down and folded hi.
arms upon the table in front of hlm
He held the pistol, still cooked, but il
was no longer pointed at Wilmerding
For a moment or so Bradford looked
silently at Wilnerding, who, whateve:
fear he may have felt. showed no sign
OF il.
"lor are cool" Bradford said al
last.
Yes"
"Do you think tha, because | Civ,
you time | may spare YOU DO You
think that any plea of yours will hell
your
when ! plead with you, you may
respond" Wilmerding replied disdain
fully. Il am in your power Why
do you wait p
The other man smiled sardonicallv
"All in good time." he replied ID
am in no hurry. Besides hav,
something to ask YOU
"A favor to ask y
Yes. You owe me something fol
the havoc and ruin you have wrought
in my life"
II have wrought no havoc. no ruin
for whatever of ruin you have come t,
you are yourself responsible, II il
you who should be called upon fnI
payment, for reparation. But let tha
20 did not mean, | do not choos
to meet any accusation you may wisl
to bring against me"
AS you please. II will save time.
Yes, but from your point OF vie,
do owe YOU more than my life vii
pay 2
More, Wilmerding far more
Nh.