Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-07-01

n LOOKING 50 aggravatingly charming,
b why, ! shall be compelled to take you
In suly arms"
What's Just what I'm trying to make
clear to you. You have done TINT for
the last time! Here. there's no use to
prol0ng the scene"
NMilly stepped nearer and snatching
tle ring from her finger, she crushed
ttsdOWn into his hand.
Her companions eyes clouded lit
tleSaS he answered.
say, Milly, aren't you carrying
your little farce too far! It's only IL
trtvMlthlng and you know it.
Farce. indeed, Neil Burnson.
There's ANOTHER thing. You needn't or
der those flowers for me; III telephone
myself"
Then the Allow that never got
mad said hastily:
"See here, young lady, the next time
I.orter any flowers for you. you'll wear
them. And when you want that ring,
you'll ask for 1t. Good-by"
And Neil was Off. He didn't see the
girls face pale, he was too angry to
~tch sight of her outstretchcd arms.
Thy Milly. Clayton should drop into
IPir and burst into tears when she
IN accomplished the thing she de-
was a mystery.
Jan hour later Milly called up
certai1st and made him promise an
county livery. She must have them
months
,r,o .e the girl made In her SHIN
irty dress of pale green. 1t
county healthy pink in her face
'ne .halavy brown hair, and her
ciose" W'\still emitting defiance that
wa nus'n} parkle TO the portrait.
we "arSa pat to the silky folds Of
'pe'r deetsan locked at the clock.
auy w ,ck. and no flowers have
re patronized that florist
- son1 ,.pme. I'll just leave him."
ues'" doyn at her girtlc VIII
safe am Ought TO be resting. Then
* Vance travelled to her left hand.
c4iow queer it seems with n--no
>a-r3ng. But girl ca,'t wear every
thing she argued inwardly. "Oh, it
seems $3.50 Consequently ring and
him gone
She looked In her mirror and began
to study the radiant reflection in it.
Perhaps was too quick, and child
ish--per- haps-I--was,' she drawled.
"If I'm old enough 10 be society
woman, I'm old enough To have little
patience with Neil. He's such boy!
Besides do miss my ring and him."
A loud peal at the doorbcll startled
her.
There's the flowers I'll go myself"
She tripped down the stairs, and
turned to open The door. and there
stood Neil with box Of flowers.
The girls face lighted unconsclousy.
The young mans heart beat faster.
"Why-y, Neil Burnson, didn't / tell
you not to-engage--"
Neil threw out his hand
"When young lady, ones own
flancee," --Milly's head lifted detiantly
--"orders me on the telephone to bring
her flowers early, obey He ended
with low bow.
'But telcphoned to the florist" cx-
planned Milly.
s"You thought you did, dear girl; but
your numbers got mixed. SO here am
ready to escort you to the party" and
the shameless fellow calmly led the
way to the living room.
Milly went over to the window, and,
With her emotions in tunult, stood
looking down the street.
Her companion produced from his
pocket a little figure of Cupid which
ne placed OH top of the telephone COW
cring
The girl with troubled eyes still
gazcd strcetWard.
Neil next took the ring and hung it
on the tip Of Cupid's arrow. Then he
called:
Come Milly. look ut your lovely
Mowers. The girl turned slowly. caught
feight Of the ring sparkling It's well
leone, and with a little quivering sigh
lshe cried out:
! ooh, my dear, darling ring. I've
] missed it sol" And she eagerly
snatched it from its place. Then she
looked at Neil. who tried his utmost
n conceal the miscellaneous twinkle in
his eyes.
But Milly saw it and challenged:
"Why don't you say what a woman
would?--that ''if you wanted flowers
from me you'll wear them; and when
vou want this ring you'll ask for it,"
i do ask you for your ring, Neil, and l
do want the flowers you bring. found
out how trivial I'd been rs soon as you
left me, Neil I was SO lonely!"
Neil stood patting the telephone.
GOOD old telephone! You played II
successful part as Cupid that time"
he scxulted.