The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-07

Fergus would not sit down. he was
evidently at a loss what to say. He
shifted his hat uneasily.
ssNelly Carney, thot was, Oi moost
hurry my wurrd as olive Tim Blake in
me place down in the yard Olive
some wurrd Of John Conover from a
dirthy Chinee thot olive beirinded
wunst or twice. He told me. Nelly
Carney, thot John has med his foind
at last, an thot three oy the worst min
in San Francisco are to be afther not
only phat he's taken DOT alriddy, but
it will be his life for his claim out
there beyant.
Nelly Conover had risen. All the
fine lady dropped from her. She ran
to Fergus aud caught his hand.
Fergus, Fergus, ye're friend, in
deed Come away with me to John.
Get Tim, Denny and Jerry and one Of
the other boys we can depend on.
There's plenty Of money. We will go
faster than any one. Oh, Fergus,
help me, for old times sake.
eWe've no tonne, thin, to lose, "
quoth Fergus. For thot gang is
away three hours moo. Be ready whin
1 come with the b'ys.
An hour on two latter Nelly was
ready. She had been to the convent
to kiss Kathleen, she had dressed her
self in her coarse mountain clothing
again. The next train north bore the
Irishmen aud Nelly to the little sta
ton where she had decided to get Off
It was by a short cut, rough and
dangerous, that Nelly made up her
mind 10 le4ds her followers. 1t was one
by which John Conover used to secret
" transport his gold. Several times
she had tramped with him up and
down the pass. She calculated that
she could arrive an hour or two after
the attacking party if they pushed for
ward all night. A terrible energy
possessed Nelly. Her eyes shone with
terror aud anxiety. Could they reach
John in time? As she plunged on
ward in the dark she registered a vow
never to leave John Conoyer again il
his life were spared.
Toward dawn the party were in sight
of Tobys Creek. Nelly pointed with
shaking iuger at the hut near the
mountain side There was a light in
the cabin. The party crept up stealth.
lily Nelly erawled on her hands and
knees TO the back window. The sight
within froze her blood John Como
yer was tied and bound before the
fire until he was perfectly helpless.
Three men were torturing him, In
dian fashion, by applying burning
sticks to his feet. He would not sign
away his claim.
Nelly drew back one second and
Fergus took her place. A settled gray
look came into the face of the big
5witchman. He motioned the next
nan aud all drew their pistols. Fer
gus crept to the door, motioning Nelly
10 shelter herself There was sud
len crash-in of the door, three shots
md dash at the window Nelly fred
Inc pistol that she held straight into
he face Of the man who came first
John Conover was always a badly
crippled man. He had expected no
iuceor, but he knew Nelly we'll enough
o think she would never relinquish
he claim only over his own signature.
lardly then. He had resigned him
elf to die that she might have for
une. 1t was a snatch from the grave
or him.
Every one knows the Conovers on
he two continents. The claim was
me of the three best in California.
was such a fabulous heiress
he could have married a dozen titles,
'ut she choose a plain American. She
lad a young half-brother, who, strange
s it may seem, was called Fergus
rom the start. He was a famous
thlete in an Eastern college in the
70s and married an English girl OF
amily. Nelly Conover, lovely, white
aired old lady, may often be seen in
he picture galleries aud pleasure gar
ems OF continental cities, walking be-
ide the wheel chair of a genial old
entleman. She kept her vow. No
me since that awful hour on the
fountain side has she been absent
rom John Conover's side.