The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1910-04-23


He looked at me amazed.
"You mean--you are going!"
I'VE both are going; you are soini
to take me-in your carl"
"Am II"
"You must!" I insisted. scarcel,
knowing what said. II will pay you
well, only let us start at once!"
He settled back comfortably In hii
chair, and quoting from my OWE
words. remarked with provoking
serenity:
"Mr. Paulson-'there are some
things money cannot buy'-l never
sell the services of my motor carl"
saw that in my frenzy and haste
had spoken rashly and without dis
erection. I must change my manner OF
procedure II hoped to get this com
placent young man started. before II
was too late.
my dear friend-this Is 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. 1t 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 IL, brought me to my senses.
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 the
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:"
1T must be done!" answered,
| pushing him on, protesting, out
through the door. II know the roads.
Get me into the city by IL o'clock
and you shall not only have the can
vas-but I 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 I'M" he shouted hoarsely.
''Ill get you there or blow the car
and the two Of use-into Kingdom
Comet"
In another moment ! was seated
beside him. but even as ! clambered
in. caught quick glimpse Of the
number painted at the end in large
white figures. II was No. 10!
The road for the first 20 miles lay
In straight level stretch. and at that
hour was well 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; 1T was like an appalling
shroud of black hanging over US.
Still. I 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 I gradually became accus-
toned to the plunging fight of the
got out the letter from poor Bretillac,
and by the CLEAN Of a small fiashlight
began reading the epistle to my COM
panion--that he might better under
stand the urgent need Of such des-
perate haste:
my Dear Paulson:
This Is the end; at the stroke of ~
I 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 IT, but in vain Z.
Stella and my wife are spending the
night at her mothers; It 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 1t in
my pocket.
'Bughouse!" observed McGork, Ia
conically.
well, yes" responded, at very
rare intervals he has been subject to
hallucinations--but only OF short du-
ration. am hoping that even before
midnight his mad mania shall have
left him entirely. He has brought this
on by oyerwork. His family has been
cautioned by the physician not to
leave him by himself until complete
rest has restored him. Can we make
II 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
length. II have kept my curiosity and
eagerness tolerably well under con.
trol--don't you think you should tell
mo now about the girl on the canvas?
How, when. where ! am to see herr"
"Oh, the girl7" replied. why. you