The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-05-05

SuSuCU 10 my BUc0I. MT. 0AS1VAAs W.
are going to start at once for the
city"
He looked at me amazed.
You mean-you are going!"
I'VE both are going; you are going
to take me-in your cart"
"Am II"
"You must!" I insisted, scarcely
knowing what I said. II will pay you
we'll. only let us start at once!"
He settled back comfortably In his
chair. and quoting from my own
words. remarked with provoking
serenity:
"Mr. Paulson-'there are some
things money cannot buy'-I never
sell the services of my motor carr"
saw that in my frenzy and haste I
had spoken rashly and without dis
erection. must change my manner of
procedure II I hoped to get this com.
placent young man started, before 1t
was too late.
"My dear friend-this is q matter Of
life or death! We have no time to
waste-I will explain as we ride
along"
ride along?"
"Yes-to the city," I answered in
desperation. "a moment ago you said
you wanted that Venus canvas. Well.
take it. It is yours!"
He sprang up eagerly and went over
to the easel. watched him in silence.
The clock on the mantel, striking the
hour of II, brought me to my senses. I
snatched up his motoring attire. and
handed 1t to him, then grabbed my
own hat and topcoat. exclaiming i'm.
petuously:
1--WE must be in the city-at tho
home of Fernandez Bretillac-by mid
night"
He was already climbing hastily into
his coat. but at my words he paused
and faced me.
whats that! Forty miles in one
hour-in the blackness of Egypt
over strange roads? 1t Is out of the
question:"
ut must be done!" answered,
pushing him on. protesting, out
through the door. II know the roads.
Get me into. the city by ~ o'clock
and you shall not only have the can.
vas-but l promise you that you will
be speaking with the lady herself
before daybreak!"
He darted for the car as though
shot out of catapult
Jump in!" he shouted hoarsely.
"I1l get. you there or blow the car
and the two Of use-into Kingdom
Gomez"
In another moment was seated
beside him, but even as l clambered
in, I caught quick glimpse of the
number painted at the end in large
white figures. 1t was No. 10!
The road for the first 20 miles lay
in a straight level stretch, and at that
hour was we'll nigh deserted. My
companion pulled the speed lever over
to the limit. We rushed on at rate
which. to me. seemed terrific! The
yellow glare Of our lamps only made
the surrounding darkness more i'm
penetrable; it was like an appalling
shroud of black hanging over us.
Still. felt every confidence in the
man at the wheel. He sat there. rigid
and intense-but in no way per.
turbed. Already he had convinced
me that he was the master of the
great throbbing machine.
For time we sped on in silence.
Then. as l gradually became accus-
toned to the plunging fight of the
car. lessened my hold on the seat,
get out the letter from poor Bretillac.
and by the CLEAN of small fiashlight
began reading the epistle to my com.
panion-that he might better under.
stand the urgent need of such DIES.
perate haste:
"My Dear PaulsoR:
/; 'This is the end: at the stroke of -
shall lock the door of my studio.
close the windows and crevices-turn
on the gas-and pass into oblivion.
DO not blame me for this deed;
fought against 1t. but in vain :,
Stella and my wife are spending the
night at her mothers; 1t Is for their
sake send for you. know you can
not reach me before the end-but I
want you to be here as soon after as
possible-to see to things-and break
the news to them. For this accept my
grateful thanks-and good-bye-for.
ever FERNANDEZ"
folded the letter and replaced It in
my pocket.
playhouse" observed McGork, la.
conically.
We'll. yes" responded, "at very
rare intervals he has been subject to
hallucinations-but only of short du.
ration. l am hoping that even before
midnight his mad mania shall have
left him entirely. He has brought this
on by overwork. His family has been
cautioned by the physician not to
leave him by himself until complete
rest has restored him. Can we make
it by midnight"
His only response was a slight move
of lever which sent us whirring and
plunging ahead at still greater speed.
"Mr. Paulson." he spoke up at
loruth HJ hovo Lout ms, o,,,lo.s4.