The daily Alaskan., 1918-10-10
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THE TRUE FRIEND
BY WALTER J. DELANEY.
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Copyright, 1918, by Western Newspaper Union.)
 He was humble to the point of sub serviency-a stranger in a strange land, banished, odd-appearing and Ill most of the time. Wo Tsin felt the abnormal environment and allowed 1t to crush him. 2y ,. He seemed to cherish 1t as blessing land mercy that fate had awarded lhim the friendship of two noble souls, for into that 1t grew, despite their widely separated social status. Wade Burton was young and struggling ] physician and Wo Tsin was refugee | from the Samoan islands. I s,&5e
 He looked neither kingly nor sopu- Ilent the day he drifted into Spring vile In rags, Jagged out, dusty and footsore from long travel. It was his good fortune to rest on the doorstep of the home of John Merle. He dozed there, hungry as he was. Alma Merle, coming out of the house with a dish In her hand, was somewhat startled 2 at a sight of the forlorn figure. He was swarthy and almond-eyed. there was a certain oriental suggestion.
 Alma stole silently past the sluin- ,berer and proceeded to gather the dish full of ripe, luscious berries. She re- entered the house by the kitchen door, to add palatable dessert to the lunch she had prepared for herself. On plate upon the little corner table she set forth q dainty but ample variety of edibles, carried a basin of water, a towel and some soap to an outside bench. and went around to the front of the house again. - The stranger reused up at her foot steps. q am sorry" he stammered with difficulty gaining his feet. I was very tired"
 And hungry" intimated Alma, sympathizingly. "Come, you are my guest" .,
 The plaintlve-eyed refugee viewed her with a sort of mute adoration as she sat opposite him at the table, the generous, welcoming hostess complete. In struggling, faulty words he made her clearly aware of his situation.
 "I loved a woman who betrayed me, plotted with an enemy, and was ban lished-I, a king" he narrated. Tt Is death to go back, but still I am or the old proud race. I have learned your language. I can make COCO nut ornaments, much valued, when, l am well. but have been III and poor and homeless for q long time."
 "You shall be so no longer, am surc," encouraged Alma. "When my brother comes home he will surely feel helpful towards you" And this was how 1t was that Wo Tsin, working about the place and at the little vil- Ilage store Walter Merle operated, earned a quiet, comfortable harbor for his derelict spirit.
 He found new friend in Wade Bur ton. The fiance of pretty Alma was a young doctor, just graduated and commencing life with only patients and courage as his capital. Wade took sufficient interest in Alma's pensioner to start him on the way to health, and the responsive Wo Tsin was duly grateful. One day Wo was pottering about the garden while Alma and Wade were seated on the porch. He Fingered with an intelligent and thoughtful face.
 q see long, arduous struggle to- wards getting on my feet here," Wade was saying. "I fear my only resource Is to establish myself in the city,
 'But that would part us!" remon- strated Alma sorrowfully.
 Tt may have to be-" answered Wade. "Old Doctor Kline has offered his practice for sale."
 'Is the price high?" asked Alma.
 'Three thousand dollars, and have less than three hundred" was the de- spending reply.
 Next day Wo Tsln vanished. He had left a brief note. Dear Little Missy" 1t ran ;'"for your sake and that of my good friend, MT. Burton, l am gone. Some day may return. The good fortune will come to you-be happy"
 At the end of that week town law yer camesto Wade. He handed him a. signed document from Doctor Kline transferring to him his practice. ,5#
 Tt is bought and paid for by 8 friend whose name am not at liberty to disclose" said the attorney, aho left Wade In wonderment. $F ie
 Two months later WO Tsln reaF V peared. Accompanying him WAS : il shrewd-faced little man, whose Mn o eyes proclaimed the sharp barss.a' t,
 Doctor Burton" he said, T hTe ot Q Q strange story to tell This fds3s t.5.,ug or .a e' yours came to me in the city 'Sklns " for loan of S3,OOO.s1 I an pawn ,s sl l broker. He showed me, H'der n,s hs :" clothing, rlgIdly rlyeted aSout t, nre. re oh waist, a gold band studded with pfe Ie. vi su cious gems. It seems hs is an fr6n , in m slgnia of his former hnsship. iips.ording ch which he must never part, ,osfered 'eI