The Lamar register., 1920-02-25
Won
BY Waiting
BY ALVAH JORDAN GARTH
opyrixht. 1919. by the Western News
paper Unlon.)


abandonment of an impossible farm in
the alkall lands, and grateful settling
down in the welcome groove nf The
Walden place. II was the possession
of 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 il ON shares and after that on
half ownership basis.
Outside of comfort and prospect
rhcr" was lola. II took less than "A
month for Burton to treasure her rs
the brightest little being he had ever
met. First he admired her. then lie
longed for her constant company and
finally came to love her.
And then dlsenchantment. so far aS
his hopes were cOncerned-a blow sud
den and bitter aud then all the sun.
shine Of life seemed blntted out for
him lola had come to treat Burton
almost as one Of the family. She en-
ioyed companionship with person 50
intellectual and kindly. and he enter
tanned the secret hope that as time
went on she might come 10 regard him
with the favor Of affection. The place
of happiness he had built so fondly
crashed into ruins as one day Ezra
Walden called him to his room. where
he lay slowly wasting away.
"Sit down Burton" said the old
man feebly. Il want to have a talk
with you. You have been great help
and comfort to me. you have worked
hard and faithfully and | don't want
to see you lose by II. ! haven't long Ia
live. the doctor told me last week.
When the end comes there IL lola to
think of. | want to provide for her ~
fully Rs pnS ible. lola wishes TO 20 10
Denver
\ quick pain struck the hear, Of the
ardent lover "She has relatives theref"
he ventured family.
"No. hut about year ago man
named Blake Darrell spent a month
here hunting and fishing. He was
fashy. boastful sort of fellow and,
between you and |. did not impress me
very favorsbly. hut as I later learned
made love TO lola and she was i'm
pressed. II was after he was gone that
Nnt tnllu Iblu hdh hti
mind with all kinds Of glowing ideas
Of the active life of the city. that he
was writing to her regularly. and II
she ever came to Denver he would see
that she got fine position and would
make her his wife. She did not ex-
actly agree to this. for she wasn't sure
of her own mind but | can see that
when | am gone her thoughts will all
he fixed upon going Into this new life.
What I was thinking wns this: You
say you have about thousand dollars
saved up. Buy the place here. pay
down what You can and the balance to
20 To lola as she needs H. only this
II her mind is set on going to Denver.
and II she wishes tn marry this man,
Darrell. go with her and become her
guardian until that is consummated.
Just as II you were myself"
Rurton's heart was heavy as he gave
his promise 10 carry out the intunc-
tions of Mr. Walden. His dream was
over and done lola was lost to him
and the future seemed blighted. With
in tn. week the old man died. A kind.
~ neighbor took lola in her charge
and a few days later Burton called
upon lola to learn her wishes.
She was subdued with grief. forlorn.
~ uncertain. but finally told Burton
that she wished TO 90 to Denver. He
explained to her the wishes OF her
grandfather and she seemed to ex.
perience n deep gratitude for his help
full. loyal service.
This was emphasized when together
they started for the East. His delicate
and solicitous care for her comfort
touched lola deeply. She began 10
realize how she would miss the sturdy
sterling friend when he went back
alone to the old farm for which she
secretly began To grow homesick. She
was almost fearful when he left her
at hotel in Denver Her face wore
n strange seriousness when he called
the next morning.
"I would like TO have you deliver
this" she said. wait for no answer
And she handed him a letter directed
to Blake Darrell.
She was in q nervous flutter when
Burton returned. He also acted un
settled and shaken.
II have strange news for you, lola.
he said. Blake Darrell was shot dead
In a drunken brawl month since He
left a widow"
IT, bts SurDrfsa lola oaap,ad gttla af