The Holbrook news., 1912-05-10

that hour was well nigh deserted. MJ
 companion pulled the speed level
 over to the limit. We rushed on at {
 rate which, to me, seemed teErificl
 The yellow glare of our lamps only made the surrounding darkness moro
 impenetrable; it was like an ap palling shroud of black hanging o7es us. Still, I felt every confidence fr the man at the wheel He sat theRa rigid and intepae-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 gradually became accus toned to the plunging flight of the car, I lessened my hold on the seat got out the letter from poor Bretillao and by the gleam of a small flash light began reading the epistle to my companion-that he might better un derstand the urgent need of such des perate haste:
 My Dear Paulson.
 This is the end; at the stroke oi twelve shall lock the door of my studio, close the windows and crevices turn on the gas-and pass into ob iv1on. Do not blame me for this deed. fought against 1t, but in vain Stella and my wife are spending the night at her mothers; ft is for their sake send for you. ] know you cannot reach me before the end-but want you to be here az soon after as possible-to see tc things-and break the news to them For this accept my grateful thanks and good-bye-forever.
 FERNANDEZ"
 I folded the letter and replaced it in my pocket.
 "Bug-housel" observed McGork, la conically.
 Well, yes." I responded. lat very rare intervals he has been subject to hallucinations-but only of short du ration"
 His only response was a slight move of lever which sent us whir ring and plunging ahead at still great CT speed.
 We sped on in silence. At length I could restrain myself no longer, and I asked:
 "Mr. McGork-are you indeed so anxious to see Miss EstelIa Moore?"
 "Anxiousl" he calculated impetu. ously. For two years have searched everywhere for that woman without finding the slightest tracel For two whole years have thought of her constantly by day-dreamed of her by nightI"
 "HumphI"
 T met her on the steamer returning from Europe. She was with her mother-part of the time shall never forget that voyage-the cozy nooks-the moonlight promenadesl Oh. 1t was heaFenly-but perhaps l bore youf"
 Some" replied. but go on"
 Before we were two days out waa nadly infatuated with her, and she
 believe-reciprocated my affection. Then, two hours before we landed in New York. we had a quarrel, fool sh, lovers quarrel. She said that 1t would perhaps be best to forget never see each other gain. I agreed with her fully and lave spent the last two years think ng of her, trying to find herI"
 That possibly accounts for some hoping have seen on her partI" l observed. unguardedly.
 Do you mean that? Do you really hink she has missed me? MT. Paul on-you make me the happiest nan"
 Nov, nowl" remonstrated, "she nay have been moping about some hing else entirely. I have observed hat she had not seemed as happy at ines as I should have liked to see ler."
 We did not reach the studio of Fer landez Bretillac by twelve o'clock. lust at the city limits we underwent number of exasperating delays. It vas nearer 12:30 berore we finally cached his apartments, and with fear md dread made our way up the wind ng stairs to his studio
 We found the door locked-the key emOVed rom the inside ana the Key Iole stopped up. We broke in the oor. Reclining peacefully upon low ouch was the form of Fernandez sretillac-he had carried out the at empt of his poor, deranged mind! He l 7as still breathing feebly. I threw | pen the windows, then 'phoned for hysician, and sent a cab for EsteIIa nd her mother. Before any of them Bretillac had returned to con 
 I did not witness the meeting of IcGork and Estella Moore. was usy at the moment assisting Mrs. ,retillac in caring for her husband. When did get chance to glance in heir direction, they were standing lose together. They both looked ra-