The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-03-25
TWO MEN, ONE WOMAN

personal safety could only be preserTed'hy
personal daring, and 1t was therefore all
the more strange to SEQ him occupied 40
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 1t with silk cloth, while upon a
table at his hand were the cartridges 10
had taken from Its chambers.
Suddenly the door, which no had oaTe-
lossly left unlocked, was opened violently
from without, and a man entered the
room. Wllmerding rose quickly in aston
ishment and anger but tho newcomer said
at once:
"Sit DOWN."
And taking his hand from his oyercoat
pocket. where II had been concealed, he
pointed cooked pistol straight at viii
merding's breast.
Wilmerding was overcome by the sud-
denness Of the intrusion and the action Of
the man, go terrible In Its Significance.
His knees trembled, and he sank back into
his chair weak and for the moment I'm
neryod but presently, as he saw the man
looking at him contemptuously, he rallied,
and 1t was with apparent perfect compo-
sure that he said:
"Your command is peremptory and I'M
pleasant, but you seem to have the power
to enforce 1t. Wellf"
The man walked to tho other sido of The
table, where he stood silently for mo-
ment, looking down at Wilmerding. Then
his attention was attracted to the picture
of q woman which stood upon the table in
a sort of easel franc. He struck ii violent
ly with his left hand, knocking it to The
floor.
How dare you have that--her picture
--theref" he asked.
'Oh, see hore," Wilmerding answered
in proud oarelessness, although he looked
at the pistol still pointing directly tow ard
him, and then past 1t ut the angry eyes of
his visitor, II can't change my arrange
ments to suit the within of an unlimited
and unweloome guest. Pray, why hive
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
happier time-for you," Wilmerding re-
turned as he glanced ut his own now Ilse-
less pistol.
'Pshawl" Bradford replied as he noted
the direction of Wilmerdings glance
Now, con wait can kill you when I
that 1t means. ] can know that you will
appreciate your punishment. Had you
been ready would have been compelled
to be quicker, that is ALL.
Indeed" said Withholding "Yet l
dare say would not have used my pistol
any more than now care for help. This
matter can BIO settled in only one way.
But il you hold that position long your
hand, steady as 1t is, will shake. Sit
down. You will be more comfortable"
Bradford sat down and folded his arms
upon the table In front of him. Ho held
the pistol, still cooked, but 1t was no longer
pointed at Wilmerding, For momort or
so Bradford looked silently at Wilmer
ding, who, whatever fear he may have
felt, showed no sign Of It.
You are cool, Bradford said at last.
eyes"
Do you think that because give you
time may spare your Do you think that
any plea Of yours will help your
"W hen plead with yon, you mny re-
spond," Wilmerding replied distainfnlly.
Il am in your power. Why do you waltz"
The other man smiled sardonicilly.
can In good time, +" he replied II am in
no hurry. Besides have something ID ask
Of you"
"A favor to aski"
Yes. You owe me something for the
havec and ruin you have wrought i'll my
life"
II have wrought no havoc, no ruin for
whatever of ruin you have come to you arc
| yourself responsible. 1t is you who should
bo 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 mo"
! As you please. It will save time"
! Yes, but from your point Of view do
owe you more than my life will payi'
! More, Wilmording-far more. What
| good will your death do me' Do you think
that l have failed to consider the cost OF
my step to mut 1t Is punishment for you,
not reward for me, that | propose tO seek
! In this why"
As Bradford spoke he unfolded his arms
/ and touched gently with the fingers of his
| left hand his pistol Wtlmerding dill not
show that auotcd the action of Bradford
! Ho laughed eoolly
| Il want u statement. l want ypu to
writo and sign a statement of your rcla.
lions with my wife. -
Wilmardlng expressed astonlshmont that
such favor should he asked of him In
4 long, low whistle, He looked sharply and
qnestioningly at Bradford in whose de.
termined face and Interchangeable attitude
there was 10 indication that he meant
either 10 relent in his purpose or to 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 am afraid
my statement will not crafty you To be
complete it will have to tell Of your inhu.
man cruelty, your falsity and my rela
lions, too, with your wife, and of your
foolish neglect"
You may include what you please. 4"
And, as for my relations, why shbuld
not write of theInf Tho whole world may
know Of them as we'll as not ="
That Is not what | want. do not
care for only statement of what tho
world knows or may know That would
Z not be worth the asking for want
complete statement ard | will mike a
bargain with you. Twill give you your
life for the statement want
Nilmerding rose. He pushed his chair
from him SO that it fell noisily to tha floor.
For the first time In theinterview he spoke
ahgfily and without the control of b mself
he had maintained.
You scoundrcl' lie said
Bradford rose from his seat, recoiled
step or two, raised his pistol but then
lowered IL again as Wilmerding spoke on.
How dare you think Of me so badlyi
How dare you think would purcese
even life Mt such price as hiatt / III
want the truth you say. do love your
wife Is that the truth you WANT do
love your wife mo- than love life pr fear
death. l love her, say but no word of
love from me has ever hurt her ears No
word Of love for mo hns ever sullied her
lips yet l know she loves me. Tint Is the
most glorious truth | know. She yes Inc
Us she never did, never could have loved
yOu.n
Wilmcrding, as though now no only
wished that some end might be brought
to the interview, any end to the sutpensc,