Omaha daily bee., 1900-02-11

So he contented himself with replying:
Sir, / have no regrets for those things
which l have done. Nor can anything
you may say to me alter my good conscience
toward God and mani
Philip Stansfeld clappcd his hands.
Spoken this time like Peden himself,
dear Umphray; | do not yet despair of you,
when in such short space a little faithful
dealing can effectuate so much. Cheered by
this, we will now go back upon Mans
Chief End There-he pointed to the grave
on the edge Of which Umphray was seated
whatever learned divines may say, that is
Mans chief end The rest is accidental
this alone essential, inevitable, incontro-
vertible-man's chief and only end, as in
deed I hope to prove to you long before the
dawn
All this Captain Stansfeld uttered, speak
ing as quietly and reverently as a minister
laying out the heads of his discourse to a
listening and obedient people. SO far as
manner went. Mr.. John Bell himself could
not have spoken with a better grace or a
sounder discretion.
But now, sir, we must to business" he
went on in a more natural tone Of voice. Il
perceive you are weary of my conversation
though l would have you know, sir, that
it has been very generally approved by bet
ter judges than yourself. But now let us
make count and reckoning, draw our bills
and give mutual discharge like two reason
ably honest men,
Most willingly!" said Umphray Spurway,
nodding in his turn.
Sir he said, you owe me a great
deal of money, but l will discharge your in
debtedness at one stroke. Which do you
~choose-swords or pistols? The latter is
commonly esteemed the easier quittance,
and, as l have a pair, it shall be by double
entry. Both are equal to mel"
philip Stansield,' said Umphray Spur
way, would you STAY an innocent man in
cold blood?'
Am l not loaded in the eyes of all with
having done the like to the father that begat
me?" said Philip Stansfield, rising to his
feet, and, besides, what right have you or
any other man to say that my blood is cold?
Devil take you, sir, have you not entrapped
my wife's affections that were so precious
to me? Have you not made my own son
hate me? Have you not chased me with
dogs-yes, with bloodhounds, upon the kings
highway? Answer me these things. And
now you pirate Of murder in cold blood when
! do no more than offer you a choice of two
honorable ways of discharging a just debt.
| thought that at least you were an honest
tradesman, Master Spurway, and knew how
to pay those to whom you were indebted"
81 do not choose to handy words with you,
Philip Stansfield," the Englishman replied.
my life is in your hand. If you choose to
murder me here and now-well, it Is within
your power!"
Captain Stansfeld looked about the dun
geon. The candle was fickering a little,
the vents of the lanthorn having been
gnttered up. He took out a pocket knife
and coolly opened them with the lesser
blade. Then he shut the little door again
and put the lantern back again on the floor.
His eye fell on Umphray's cloak, which Saul
Mark had flung down as he entered. His
broad, soft-brimmed hat was lying beside
1t. a thought came into his head and he
clapped his palm upon his knee with a loud
smack.
Il have it," he said; this will suit all
parties-you, because it will enable you to
discharge your obligations; me, because it
gives me the opportunity to pay a visit I
have too long deferred"
He went over to where Umphray sat and
the brave Englishman made up his mind
that his last hour was come. But Captain
Stansfeld only thrust his hand again into
his breast pocket and drew out the minia-
ture.
Il will return this" he said, ito the
original. There is a right indefeasibly
vested in husband to prevent other men
carrying about his wife's picture in their
bosoms like so many pieces of holy eros IS.
The custom offends alike against religion
and morality. | will give this into my wife's
hands, and, lest | be denied entrance, | will
equip me for the purpose"
He drew UmphTays cloak about him and
clapped his tall-crowned hat upon his head.
'tIhng nnninnaI 7 nod g.. !.
said. " IT'S a sad confession for the hus-
band of one wife TO make, but a man never
knows to what chance he will come in this
world
Umphray spurway cried out now with
fear, though hitherto he had been impassiye
as marble.
For Gods grace, kill RE and be done
with IT, he said; "let your unhappy wife
alone. Has she not suffered enough? XIII
me and end this farce"
Philip Stansfeld watched his enemy coolly
as he agonlzed in his bonds.
Nay he said, almost gently, that must
not be. For a man Of the world, Umphray.
your methods are crude. have a better
plan, l will be absent an hour-sixty min
utes and no more. | will leave you a pistol
by the cheek of the door here. 1t is loaded
and primed, II on my return | observe
'hIuush lhe secret SDynOle that you have
successfully used it on yourself Il recon-
mend the roof Of the mouth myself; it is the
most certain, | promise you that all scores
are cleared between us. | will do my wife
no hurt. But II not, and your brains are
still unscattered, / shall know that YOU
mediate treachery. | will therefore first
shoot you through the roof, which has been
arranged for such a contingency, and then
| viii go back and klll-well. you know
whom | will kill
you are a dewitt cried Umphray SPUR
way, straining at his bonds till the veins
stood out purple on his brow.
II an n man Of my word" said CAPTAIN
stansfield with his hand on the low iron door
Of the kiln, There is the pistol and beside
IT a little printing powder, Come hither. II
you please, Mr., Umphray Spurway. Stand
with your back to the door and will sever
the cord about your hands. Slowly-go very
slowly DO not attempt TO turn around or
two things will happen which you would
give your life to avert, There!"
With a sharp-edged dagger he severed
tho rope and the next moment the iron door
GLANCED aud the bolts shot without with a
rasping sound. Umphray Spurway flung
himself against the place, overturning the
lantern in his haste, But he might as well