The Crittenden press., 1920-09-03
ACANINE CUPID
BY AGNES q. eRo0AN.

Ing a forlorn looking dog. who had
aroused his Ire by running In front OF
his car. The car was Il 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-hared 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.
"Welll" gasped the girl, as the irate
young man followed threateningly into
the garden.
you've u lot to do, haven't YOU, pur-
suing a poor half-starved animal that
dared annoy you for 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 whiteness. The strange young
man, pausing TO mop his perSpirine
brow. gazed ut the girl, at first in an
swering indignation. then with slow
spreading grin.
The lean and ragged animal barring
an lnQuiring eye nestled closer to the
girl with loving whine MOSTLY affec-
tionate, his tongue caresslng her hand.
Poor dOggie" she murmured; poor
little bounded thing! I'll take you In
this minute and give you such meal
as you haven't had In months"
"Then" asked the young man inter.
ested. what are you going to do with
himl"
The girl glanced dehantly into the
mans mocking face.
"l'm going to keep this strange dog"
she replied, "for my own. | thought
about 1t this mornlng when 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. 81 shall befriend him"
''Casey?" asked the young man.
His name from now on" the girl
said. ale looks like Casey"
The dog gave a furtiye backward
glance as she carried him indoors. To
the surprised young man II seemed
hat ha stnilaI RAlns.
tantly the white-suted one made his
way down the flower-bOrdered path
and into his waiting car. Reluctantly
ne looked back toward the vacated We
xanda. The young man also smiled.
Dulcie carried her dog into the
kitchen. Ignoring the remonstrance OF
Mary Ann. she riied the cupboards Of
chops and bones; to Casey her offering
was but an appetizer. Dulcie added Il
pan Of bread and mllk-stll wngging
gratefully, the dog asked for more.
at must have been. ages since he
had any food" she told Mary Ann.
"Oh. you can't I'll 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 home.
I'm going to keep him."
"All right" the induigent father re-
piled; "but don't lnfilct his cur.ness
upon me-"
As she sat, that evening, with the
dog In silent alteration at her feet. II
seemed, unaccOuntably, that the white.
fanneled figure OF man still occupied
the step below. 1t was exceedingly
curious how such brief presence
could haunt q place. Dulcle recalled
the young mans good.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 ID. Benson, 2li0
Elm avenue"
Dul1e stared down al Casey"
"It's you" she said. This morning
In Park place-valuable AIrednle. =
There was nothing for II but 10 bring
out her own car and take the dog over
10 Elm avenue. The question Of own
ership must be settled at once hut be-
fore the car had fairly stopped al the
door Casey" himself settled the ques-
tion. With the joyful bark OF dog
restored to his own. he ran up the
walk, then with remorseful uife' tlon
returned coaxing the girl to follow.
Casey pushed his way past the mnId
at the door. while Dulcle remained tO
await the coming of ID. Benson
A familiar whltp.snltrd fgure
swinging around the garden path, sur.
prlsed II pleased wondering light of
recognition In her eyes.
your" she exclaimed.
The young man bowed.
Donald Benson at your servi e."
~ don't understand" Dultie fat
tered. but she was beginning to under
stand very we'll indeed.
"You see," he explained gsnlally
"Ssndy-thsts Casey's real name
shook his strap and collar aud strayen
over to Park place this morning, Whe,
I tried to round him up with my cal
he expected u deserved thrushing and
ran to you for protection. Sandy's q
wise dog-and lucky one u. Ben,
son added sadly. You liked Sandy
$50 ! must give him upw the cir,
said slowly.
Tell you what" ID. Benson eS
claimed, an bring Sandy over and
leave him with you as often as YOU
like"
Dulcle smiled. "And call for him
again." she asked.
The young man sighed sigh o'
great content.