The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-07-22
CANINE CUPID
BY AGNES G. O G

Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Union1
The girl looked up from her book
just In time to see a young man, in an
immaculate white suit furiously. chas-
Ing a forlorn looking dog, who had
aroused his ire by running in front of
his car. The ear was n new and shin
ing one and the young man who chased
the dog was quite oblivious to the dam
age the wet road was doing to his
white shoes. The rough-haired crea-
ture, yelping wildly, flew ut last, as
capture seemed near, straight up the
bordered path to the veranda where
the girl sat. For an instant his plead
ing eyes questioned hers, then the
dogs bony frame leaped into her arms.
"Well!" gasped the girl, as the irate
young man followed threateningly into
the garden.
you've a lot to do, haven't you, pur-
suing a poor half-starved animal that
dared annoy you for a moment by
blocking your way?
Indignation was in the girls tone,
in the flash of her eyes, and the flush
of her cheeks, as she held the trem-
bling beast close, regardless of her
crisp w%hiteness. The strange young
man, pausing to mop his perspiring
brow, gazed at the girl, at first in an
swering indignation, then with a slow
spreading grin.
The lean and ragged animal barring
an inquiring eye nestled closer to the
girl with a loving whine MOSTLY affec-
tionate, his tongue caressing her hand.
Poor doggie" she murmured; "poor
little bounded thing! I'll take you in
this minute and give you such a meal
as you haven't had in months"
"Then" asked the young man inter-
ested. "what are you going to do with
him?"
The girl glanced defiantly into the
mans hooking face.
"Ihm going to keep this strange dog"
she replied, "for my own. I thought
about it this morning when I saw him
searching around our back door. Only
-" her tone was regretful-"he did
look so-homely.
II don't care how homely Casey is"
she said. II shall befriend him."
"Casey?" asked the young man.
Ellis name from now on" the girl
said. "He looks like Casey"
The dog gave a furtive backward
glance as she carried him indoors. To
the surprised young mar it seemed
that the ugly mouth smiled. Reluc-
family the white-suited one made his
way down the flower-bordered path
and into his waiting car. Reluctantly
he looked back toward the vacated We
randa. The young mar also smiled.
Dulcie carried her dog into the
kitchen. Ignoring the remonstrance of
Mary Ann, she rifled the cupboards Of
chops and bones; to Casey her offering
was but an appetizer. Dulcie added a
pan of bread and milk-still wagging
gratefully, the dog asked for more
ut must have been ages since he
had any food" she told Mary Ann.
ooh, you can't fill them kind up
the woman grumbled.
Dulcie showed her dog apologetical-
ly, that evening, to her father. "He is
dreadfully homely," she admitted, "but
he's affectionate and needs a home.
I'm going to keep him."
"All right" the indulgent father re-
piled; "but don't infict his
upon me-"
AS she sat, that evening, with the
dog in silent alteration at her feet, it
seemed, unaccountably, that the white
lanneled figure of a man still occupied
the step below. 1t was exceedingly
curious how such a brief presence
could haunt a place.. Dulcie recalled
the young mans g%ood-natured accept
ance of her rebuke-his whimsical
smile. Then, idly, her eye caught an
advertisement in the evening paper:
"Lost!" she read, valuable Airedale
puppy in vicinity of Park place this
morning. Return to d. Benson, 214O
Elm avenue"
Dulcie stared down at Casey"
"1t's you'll" she said. "This morning
in Park place-valuable Airedale."
There was nothing for it but to bring
out her own car and take the dog over
to Elm venue The question Of own
ership must be settled at once; but be-
fore the car had fairly stopped at the
door "Casey" himself settled the ques.
ton. With the joyful bark of a dog
restored to his own, he ran up the
walk, then with remorseful affection
returned coaxing the girl to follow.
Casey pushed his way past the maid
at the door, while Dulcie remained to
await the coming of D. Benson.
A familiar white-suited figure
swinging around the garden path, sur
prised a pleased wondering light of
recognition in her eyes.
"You?" she exclaimed.
The young man bowed.
Donald Benson at your SERVICE"
II don't understands" DuIcie fall
tered, but she was beginning to UNDER
stand very well indeed.
You see." he explained genially,
"Sandy-that's Casey's real name
shook his strap and collar and strayed