The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-02-04
BEAUTY AND BEAST
By MILDRED WHITE.

I
'eN 1921. Western Newspaper Union
Dulcie was the beauty, there coul,
be no doubt about that, but whethe
Jim Harforu or his dog, best answer
ed to the latter description, Dulcle wal
undecided. Certain 1t is, that wher
she hrst heard of Him Hartford, the
girl Indignantly exclaimed, 9TH,
Beastl"
And Aunt Dulcinia was shocked ant
Mortified as usual
Dulcie as 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 hulking
mastiff which she pleasantly Informed
her frowning relative, had Joined her
In walk.
Il was going down Lynden avenue y
Dulcie said happily, when this big
Fellow came running from the road
to walk at my slde.' The mild and low
Ing animal ending his scrutiny of Miss
Dulcinia's face, gave. low and threat
ening growl, exhibiting fiercely his
sharp and shining teeth. The elder
woman pallng 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 aunt's house,
and she has perfect right to be in
it,"
Drive the brute away" snapped
Miss Dulcinla behind the door. "Why
do you call him that fool manner"
"It's 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 a huge
welt on the dogs head.
1.-THE beast" she exclaimed, and 1t
was Jim Hartford she referred to and
not the dog. The animal, his grum-
hlings ended in q 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 would mott am
his friend"
Friend" scoffed the exasperated
Miss Dulcinia. She went determined
ly to the telephone. 1t was a gruff
voice with a German accent which
answered.
"YOud better called up" the voice
threatened, before gets the police
after you. That dog is valuable. He
guards our storehOuses.
''The girl coaxed him away. / heard
her, vas on de wagon. She visited,
und Emperor vent Den l lost dem.
I'll come after him, yes-but I'll give
that toG such a whipping"
"Oh. you must not whip him, really"
Dulcie heard her aunt's frightened
voice saying, and In a whlrl the girl
had the telephone in her hand.
81 won't give up your dog" she said
dcfiantly, 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-flushed
cheeks.
II am going ont Dulcie announced,
ito sit on the front steps beside that
log 1ntil the man comes"
On the broad stone step sat her
niece, the mastiff's head against her
shoulder. After an interminable time |
/ car came swinging up the road and
is driver descended. He was young |
nan of pleasing and correct appear
lnce, Miss DuIcinia noted. And as the |
young man stood hat in hand, Dulcie |
rave him permission to be seated.
1t was evident that an earnest con-
'ersation followed. Emperor after
line of speculative interest, shifted
lis vast bulk so that 1t rested conf
lently between the two. DuIcie raised
Ter voice slightly at last. and the lis
ening lady could hear, "Then YOU will i
zee your dog is taken care of. 1t is
'ity that you trusted him so long to
our warehouse manager"
She laughed. Evidently the man
Who beat your dog numerically was
fraid to face one small woman, SO he
ent you"
And many weeks after this occur
ence, Dulele came, all rosy and shin
ng eyed, to her aunt.
II am going to marry Jim Hartford"
he announced. "YOu see have be-
ONE very much attached to Emperor,
nd as Emperor is valuable dog. and
$ really have no right as you said
0 harbor another mans property.
Thy"
"Dulcic, Dulcie,' murmured the
,uch-trled aunt, then tenderly she
Used her.