The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-02-17

1ruary n, 1911
before my door l stepped forward to
omen II. As did so, n messenger dis.
mounted from a dripping steed and
handed me letter, with the words;
For Mr.. Paulson. Bearer does not
wait" Leisurely mounting again. he
rode of into the night.
I turned back TO my guest and
closed the door. you must pardon
me a moment" | said, strange dread
coming over me; "this seems to be a
matter requiring immediate attention. 3"
| tore open the envelope, AS / read
l began TO clutch the paper eonvulsive-
": IL was from an artist friend OF
mine in the city-Fernandez Bretillac
The contents we're most alarming
lorrifying! For a moment / sat dunn
founded. the letter still clutched in my
nerveless fingers; then suddenly
turned TO my guest. "Mr McGork, we
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 carl"
Am T."
you must" insisted, scarcely
knowing what said. 81 will pay you
we'll. only let us start at once!
Ho settled back comfortably in his
chair. and quoting from my own
words. remarked with provoking
serenity:
"NIr 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
cretion. I must change my manner OF
procedure if I hoped to get this com
placent young man started, before II
was too late.
MY dear friend-this is a matter OF
life or death! We have no time to
waste-I will explain as we ride
along"
ride along?"
"Yes-to the city!" l 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. |
snatched up his motoring attire, and
handed it 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:"
at must be done!" I answered,
pushing him on, protesting, out
through the door. 81 know the roads.
Get me into the city by - 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.
'I'n get you there or blow the car
and the two of use-into Kingdom
Come"
In another moment I was seated
beside him, but even as I clambered
in, I caught a 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 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; 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 a time we sped on in silence.
Then, as l gradually became accus-
toned to the plunging flight of the
car, I lessened my hold on the seat,
got out the letter from poor Bretillac,
and by the CLEAN of a small fashlight
began reading the epistle to my COM
panion-that he might better under
stand the urgent need of such des-
peTate haste:
my Dear Paulson:
"This is the end; at the stroke of 12
shall lock the door of my studio,
close the windows and creyices-turn
on the gas-and pass into oblivion.
Do not blame me for this deed
fought against it, but in vain
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 !
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.
"Bughouse!" observed McGork, la