The Meeker herald., 1919-06-21
THE TRUE FRIEND
BY WALTER !. DELANEY.


land, bailshed. odd-appearing and III
most Of the time. Wo Tsin felt the
abnormal environment and allowed 1t
to crush him.
He seemed to cherish 1t as blessing
and a mercy that fate had awarded
him the friendship Of two noble souls
for Into that 1t grew. despite their
widely separated social status. Wade
Burton was a young and struggling
physician and Wo Tsin was refugee
from the Samoan islands.
He looked neither kingly nor opu-
lent the day he drifted into Spring
Vile in rags, tagged 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 dish
In her hand, was somewhat startled
at sight of the forlorn figure. He
was swarthy and Acknowledged. there
was a certain oriental suggestion.
Alma stole silently past the slum-
berer and proceeded to gather the dish
full of ripe. luscious berries. She re-
entered the house by the kitchen door.
to add pnlatable dessert to the lunch
she had prepared for herself. On
plate upon the little corner table she
set forth a dainty but ample variety
Of edibles, carried a basin Of water.
q towel md some soap to an outside
bench, and went around to the front
Of the house again.
The stranger reused up at her foot
steps. II am sorry" he stammered
with difficulty gaining his feet. II
was very tired"
"And hungryr intimated Alma.
sympathizingly. "Come. you are my
guest"
The plalntive-eyed refugee viewed
her with q sort Of mute alteration 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.
II loved q woman who betrayed me.
plotted with an enemy. and was ban
ished-I. q king!" he narrated. ut
IL death to go back. but still I am Of
the old proud race. have learned
your language. can make COCO
nut ornaments. much valued. when !
am well. but have been Ill and poor
and homeless for long time"
"You shall be 20 no longer. I am
sure" encouraged Alma. "When my
brother comes home he will surely feel
helpful towards you" And this was
how It was that Wo Tsin, working
about the place and at the little vii
lase store Walter Merle operated.
earned q quiet, comfortable harbos for
his derelict spirit
He found new friend In Wade Bur
ton. The nance Of pretty Alma was
4 young doctor. Just graduated and
commencing life with only patients
and courage as his capital. Wade took
suficient interest In Alma's pcnsioner
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 perch. He
fingered with an intelligent and
thoughtful face.
~ see 4 long. arduous struggle to-
wards getting on my feet here" Wade
was saying. II fear my only resource
Is to establish myself In the city"
''Rut that would part us!" remon-
strnted Alma sorrowfully.
"It may have to be-" answered
Wade. "Old Doctor Kline has offered
his practice for sale"
'Ts the price hiGhf' asked Alma.
Three thousand dollars, and I have
less than three hundred" was the de-
spending reply.
Next day Wo Tsin vanished. He
had left a brief note. "Dear Little
Missy" It ran; "for your sake and that
Of my good friend. Mr.. Burton, am
gone. Some day I 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 q
signed document from Doctor Kline.
transferring to him his practice.
at Is bought and paid for by .
friend whose name I am not at liberty
to disclose" said the attorney, and
left Wade In wonderment.
Two months later Wo Tsin reap
peared. Accompanying him was a
shrewd-faced little man, whose keen
eyes proclaimed the sharp bargainer.
doctor Burton" he said, II have a
strange story to tell. This friend Of
yours came to me in the city. asking
for q loan Of 5000. I am a pawn
broker. He showed me. under his
clothing, rigidly riveted about his
waist. a gold band studded with pre-
cious gems. It seems this Is an In
sigma Of his former kingship. from
which he must never part, according
to the tenets Of his people. He offered
to pawn himself, and It."
Because Of love for the missy and
her FRIEND" murmured Wo Tsin. with