Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1900-01-19
Ia the Nick of Time.

| ~
60 HE Widow Carney came out OF
| her twO-rOom shanty beyond the
dump. She stood erect In the
spring sunshine, looking over q net.
work Of railroad tracks, across to the
switchouse where Kathleen had taken
Fergus O'Hare's dinner. Nellie Carney
was still little more than a girl. Her
face was arch and sweet her eyes
bright her hair black and curly. The
wind blew her calico dress away from
her fine figure.
And you say that she's a widow"
John Conover remarked to Fergus.
Not long l venture"
"Three year." said Fergus. painting q
little. mot for any fault of the b'ys.
She's little upplsb. Is Nellie Carney.
Phil were q fireman an like to be en-
glneer wan day, but the greasers dowi
Coyote pass finished him wan nigh,
when they attacked the train. Com
pany gives her the rint av the hoose
thar. an she keeps boarders for
meals"
That Is how John Conover met Nelly
Carney. lie was getting ready to 70
to the mines. He had Just come from
the Eastern States and had claim up
about Toby's creek that his brother had
left him when he died the year before.
lie did not say much about himself to
anyone. He took his meals with the
widow Carney for week or so. and
bunked In with Fergus O'Hare. He
said he was getting his outfit. Nellie
Carney did some sewing for him, and
they sat together evenings, while Kath.
leen slept beside them.
one OF these evenings John Conover
seemed to be very thoughtful. At last
he took a sudden resolution.
Nelly" he began. gently, Pm going
up to rough place. but I've got no.
ton to take you along"
1T takes two to make bargain
Mr.. Conover"
Not this bargain. know vou,,, 20
dear. I'm only wondering n ,tr, nav
you. Jim always stuck to 1t that creek
claim was bound to pan out. II It does.
you and Kathleen will be fixed for life.
II It don't you might have a tough
time. Shall we 60 down to the SQUIRE
tomorrow. Nelll"
Nelly took nights sleep on It, and
IN the morning consented to 20 up
country with John Conover. They
were married one day. and set out the
next, taking the little child with them
IT seemed shame to John Conover
that he had brought such pretty crea.
ture TO live In such a wild and lone.
some spot She was happy enough, an.
parently the same Nelly that he had
seen on the dump that spring day. The
more he loved her the more he broodad
over her sacrifice Of home and friend.
among civilized people. He workad
nard. and the next summer made a
good find In a hole and sent her back to
san francisco with a small fortu,
and Instructions to put Kathleen int.
convent. where she could have seho,,
ing and he made lady Of for the IN.
ture.
Life In a hotel is a great educator
DAY after day Mrs. Conover went
about. saw great plays. read novels.
visited her child. and enjoyed exist.
ence. She received Johns infreouen.
letters with q positive alarm. Sunnosa
he should send for her to return shs
could close her eyes and see the great
dark. snow-topped mountain wall the
rough cabin close under the shadow
the orawling waters Of the mountain
torrent. In dreams she heard ~.
drumming voice Of the wind smora
the pine boughs. the scream Of the Wild
eagies-that was all. She missed John
At drst with all the passion Of her inn.
pulsive nature; but. as time went On
the longing grew less fierce, and .bs
felt she would rather never return ,haa
TO 30 now when life WAS SO fn,I -
gaiety and novelty.
One day Fergus O'Hare came - -.
her. The colored servant told her with
q grin that the visitor would not w,,,.
MS name Oh a card. maybe eouldn.,
Neily flushed. for she knew II va. h,.
little time since she had been iyno.-
ant OF card formalities. She ssId .h.
would see him In her own parlor an,
the amused bellboy showed up ths
switchman. He looked rougher ara
more grimy than ever.
How do You do. Fergus:" she said
win little condescension.
Fergus had stopped In the middle =, |
the little parlor. "
Nelly Conover! OF can't belaye ~.
the same" he said.
IL o." she laughed: then in h.,
warm, hearted way. "Sit down. Fereua
m glad to see you. You should NJ.
Aatnieen. She's . nne girl nov"
8os would not cit down IA "a.