The Press., 1920-03-04
Won By Waiting
 ~o By ALVAH JORDAN GARTH

(Copyright, 1919. by the Western News
 paper Union.)
 It was like d transition from the arid desert to a fertile valley of Eden the abandonment of an Impossible farm ln the alllai lands, and a grateful settling down in the welcome groove of the Walden place. It was the possession of d decrepit old man, Ezra Nal- den, and his orphan niece, lola, ana from the start JGhn Burton liked it and bound himself 10 remain. He was to work it on shares and after that on d half ownership basis.
 Outside of comfort and prospect there was lola. It took less than d month for Burton to treasure her as the brightest little being he had ever met First he admired her, then he longed for her constant company and finally came to love her.
 And then disenchantment, so far as his hopes were cOncened-a blow sud den and bitter and then all the sun shine of life seemed plotted out tor him. lola had come to treat Burton almost as one of the famly. She en- joyed cOmpaniOnShip with d person so intellectual and kindly, and he enter tained 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 f0ndly 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 "I want to have talk with you You have been a great help and comfort to me. you have worked hard and faithfully and I don't want to see you lose by it. haven't long to live. the doctQr told me last week. When the end comes there is lola to think of. I want to provide for her as fully as possible. lola wishes to 2" to Denver"
 A quick pain struck the heart of the ardent lover. "She has relatives there"' he ventured faintly.
 "No. but about a year ago man named Blake Darrell spent a month here hunting and fishing. He was a faShy, boaStful sort of fellow and. between you and I. did not impress me very faVOrablN. but as 1 later learned made love to lola and she was i'm pressed It was after he was gone that the child told me that he had filled her mind with all kinds of glowing ideas of the active life of the city, that he was writing to her regularly. ana II she ever came to Denver he would see that Sh,, got d fine position and would make her his wife. She did not eN- actIv agree to thiS for she wasn't sure of her own mind. hut l can see that when I am gone her thoughts will all be fixed upon going into this new lie. What I was thinking was this: You say you have about d thousand dollars saved up. Buy the place here. pay down what you can and the balance to 90 to 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 her guardian until that is conSummated just as if you were myself. Burton'S heart was heavy as he gave | his promise to carry out the iniunc i tionS of Mr. Walden. His dream was over and done. lola was lost to hin and the future seemed blishted With in the week the old man died. A kind ly neighbor took lola in her charge and a few days later Burton called l upon lola to learn her wishes.
 She was SubdIed with grief. forlorn ly uncertain, but finally told Burton that she wished to go to Denver. H' explained to her the wishes of he grandfather and she seemed to eX periencp a deep gratitude for his help l full. loyal service.
 This was emphasized when tngethe they started for the East. His delicat Hnd Sui'c:tOuS care for her cOmfOr touched lola deeply She began t. realize how she would miss the sturdy sterling friend when he went bacl secretly began to grow homeSick. Sh | was almost fearful when he left he at a hotel in Denver. Her face wOr strange seriousness when he caile' the next morning.
 'I would like to have you delive this," she said "Wait for no answer. And she handed him letter drecte to Blake Darrell.
 She was in d nervous futter whe Burton returned. He also acted UT settled and shaken.
 "I have strange news for you. lola, he said 'Blake Darrell was shot dea in a drunken brawl a month since. H left widow"
 To his surprise lola seemed little al fccted by the intelligence. q change my mind half way to Denvtr" sh spoke in troubled tones. q do not ir tend to remain. Oh! my good, kin friend, whom alone can trust, talk me hack-home ,'
 Burton began to tremble with vagu suppressed emotion. She tore ope the envelope he had returned to he Read it. please. It will explain" Sh said in subdued tones and turned he face away.
 He understood as he traversed tn lines telling Darrell that she had dc cided not to marry him, that her lov was bestowed upon another.
 "YOu are going back to the Ol home?" spoke Burton.
 "YeS. if you will take me-" said Iol brokenly. "We had not left the de-; old place an hour before I realized m folv"
 He haStened t1 take her hand. He head dropped to his shoulder and l.