The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-12-20
Won
BY Waiting
b. ALvAH JORDAN GARTH
Copyright, 1919. BY the Western News
paper union.l

paper uniOn.l
1t was like transition from the arid
desert to a fertile valley of Eden, the
abandonment of an impossible farm In
the alkali lands, and grateful settling
down in the welcome groove. Of the
Walden place. 1t was the possession
Of a decrepit old man, Ezra Wal
den, and his orphan niece, lola, and
from the start John Burton liked II
and bound himself to remain. He was
to work it on shares and after that-on |
a half ownership basis.
Outside Of comfort and prospect
there was lola. II took less than a
month for Burton to treasure her as
the brightest little being he had ever
met. First he admired her, then ne
longed for her constant company ana
finally came to love her.
And then disenchantment, so far as
his hopes were concerned-a blow sud-
den and bitter and then all the sun
shine of life seemed blotted out for
him. lola had come to treat Burton
\ almost as one of the family She en-
joyed companionship with person SO
intellectual and kindly, and he enter
tanned the secret hope that as time
went on she might come to regard him
with the favor of affection. The place
of happiness he had built so fondly
crashed into ruins as one Jay Ezra
Walden called him to his room, where
he lay slowly wasting awags NJ
"Sit down, Burton" said the ola
man feebIy. II want to have talk
with you. You have been great help
and comfort to me, you have worked
hard and faithfully and l don't want
to see you lose by it. haven't long to
live, the doctors told me last week.
When the end comes there is lola to
think of. want to provide for her as
fully as possible. lola wishes to go to
Denver"
A quick pain struck the heart of the
ardent lover "She has relatives thereF
he ventured family. Is
"NO. but about year ago a man
named Blake Darrell spent a month
here hunting and fishing. He was a
flashy, boastfuI sort Of a fellow and
between you and !. did not impress me
very favorably, hut as / later learned
made love to lola and she was i'm
pressed. 1t was after he was gone that
the child told me that he had filed her
mind with all Kinds Of glowing IDEAS
of the active life of the city, that he
was writing to her regularly, and If
she ever came TO DfnIer he would see
that she got fine position and would
make her his wife. She did not ex-
ectlv agree to this, for She wasn't sure
of her own mind hut ] can see that
wheh ! am gone her thoughts will all
be fixed upon going into this new life
What l was thinking was this: You
saw you have about q thousand dollars
saved up. Buy the place here, pay
down what you can and the balance ia
90 10 lola as she needs It, Only this-
If her mind is set on going to Denver
and If she wishes to marry this man
Darrell. go with her and become hei
Guardian until that is contaminated
lust as if you were myself"
Burtons heart was heavy as he gave
his nromise to carry out the injunc
tions of Mr.. Walden. His dream Wa'
over and done. lola was lost to hin
and fine future seemed blighted. With
IN the week the old man died. A kind
" neighbor took lola in her charg
and few days later Burton calle'
haV. NWrfch
She was subdued with grief, fOrlorn
~ uncertain. hut finally told Burto
that she wished TO. go to Denver. II
r exnlained TO her the wishes of he
grandfather and she seemed to eS
6eTfencs q dseg gratitude for his hell
mi, loyal service. .EEIel-.sss 90 =. Aii'seSA
This was emphasized when togethe
tGey Started for the East. His delicat
and solicitors care for her comfoi
- touched lola deeply. She began
realize how she would miss the stnr':
y. sterling friend when he went baC
s,one TO the old farm for which st
secretly hogan 10 grow hOmesick. ~
81 wss almost fearful. when he left M
af hotel IN Denver Her face woi
strange seriousness when he cail'
the next morning.
81 would like 10 have you deiiV
This" size said. "Wsitfor no answer
And she handed him letter dlrect'
to Blake, Darrell,
she was In nervous hHtter VIII
Burton returned He also acted U
settled and shaken.
q have strange news for you, lois
he said. "Blake Darrell was shot de
in drunken brawl month since. J
left widow"
To his surprise lola seemed little
fected by the intelligence. Il chang
nv mind half way to Denver" 5
smoke in troubled tones. u do not
tend to remain. Oh my good, XII
- friend. whom alone can trust, ia
- me backbone y
v,... t,,.son IN fpprnblp with vac