Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-12-23
BEAUTY AND BEAST
BY MILDRED WHITE.

be no doubt about that, but whether
Jim Hartford or his dog. best answer
ed TO the latter description, Dulcle was
undecided. Certain it is, that when
she first heard Of Him Hartford, the
girl Indignantly exclaime' "The
Beast"
And Aunt Dulcinia was shocked and
Mortified as usual.
Dulcie as a child had brought into
the house various stray cats and shag'
gy dogs which she called her friends
Returning one day from an errand the
girl was accompanied by a hulking
mastiff which she pleasantly Informed
her frowning relative, had Joined her
IN walk.
II was going down Lynden avenue,
Dulcie said happily, when this big
fellow came running from the road
to walk at my side" The mild and low
ing animal ending his scrutiny Of Miss
Dulcinia's face, gave low and threat
ening growl, exhibiting fercely his
sharp and shining teeth. The elder
woman paling suddenly, crept behind
the shelter of the door, while Dulcie
dropped upon her knees her arm ca
ressing the dogs head.
emperor" she admOnished, don't
be unreasonable, this is aunts house.
and she has a perfect right to be In
it."
"Drlve the brute away" snapped
Miss Dulcinia behind the door. "Why
do you call him that fool nameT
Its on his collar" Dulcie cheer
fully informed her.
Emperor, property of Jim Hartford
2O2 Bale street. Bale street Is away
down in the lower part Of the town
and poor Emperor is covered with
scars of battle. A nice kind of owner
he must have to beat him so cruelty
Jim Hartford"
Dulcie's blue eyes rested on huge
welt on the dogs head.
1.-THE beast" she exclaimed, and ii
was Jim Hartford she referred to and
not the dog. The animal, his grum-
blings ended in loving whine, looked
up at her in alteration.
Hes afraid l will take him back
to that Hartford person to be beaten
again." she exclaimed Indignantly. He
might know that l would mott am
his friend"
Friend" scoffed the exasperated
Miss Dulcinia She went determined
ly to the telephone. 1t was q gruH
voice with a German accent which
answered.
YOU'D better called up" the voice
threatened, before l gets the police
after you. That dog Is valuable. he
guards our storehouses.
THE girl coaxed him away. / heard
her. l vas on de wagon. She visited,
and Emperor vent. Den | lost dem.
I'll come after him, yes-but I'll give
that tog such whipping"
"Oh, you must not whip him, really.
Dulcie heard her aunt's frightened
voice saying, and In whirl the girl
had the telephone in her hand.
II won't give up your dog" she SAID
defiantly, until l am sure he Will
have decent treatment hereafter. see
If you can make me-"
She did not await the expected an
CRY reply, but replaced the receiver
facing her aunt with rose-dushed
cheeks
II am going out" Dulcie announced
"to sit on the front steps beside thar
dog until the man comes"
On the broad stone step sat her
niece. the mastiff's head against her
shoulder. After an interminable time
a car came swinging up the road and
it's driver descended. He was young
man of pleasing and correct appear
ance, Miss Dulcinia noted. And as the
Young man stood hat In hand, Dulcie
gave him permission to be seated.
1t was evident that an earnest con-
yersation followed. Emperor after
time of speculative interest, shifted
his vast bulk so that it rested conf
IDENTIFY between the two. Dulcie raised
her voice slightly at last, and the lis
tening lady could hear, "Then you will
see your dog Is taken care of. 1t Is a
pity that you trusted him so long to
your warehouse manager"
She laughed. evidently the man
who beat your dog numerically was
afraid to face one small woman, so he
sent you"
And many weeks after this occur
renee. Dulcie came, all rosy and shin
ing eyed, to her aunt.
IT am going to marry Jim Hartford"
she announced. "You see l have be-
come very much attached to Emperor,
and as Emperor is a valuable dog, and
ms / really have no right as you said
70 harbor another mans property
why"
"Dulcie, Dulcie," murmured the
.,,,,,b triad amt then tenderly she