The Coconino sun., 1919-12-19
MILLY'S TANTRUM
By j. s. BROOKS

avenging angel. She ignored the ad- miration gleaming from his honest gray eyes.
 Then catching sight of his good natured smile, she snapped:
 TT just hate people that never get angry-just smile, smile."
 That remark deepened the smile on Neil Burnson's cheery face.
 But Milly, If you knew how exas- peratingly pretty you look in one of your, h'm!--tantrums. If you keep on"
 'Tsntrums! it's honest to goodness disgust and indifference to any nattery you give me-"
 "As l was saying" resumed the i'm perturbable youth. 'if you don't stop looking so aggravatingly charming, why, l shall be compelled to take you in my arms"
 That's just what I'm trying to make clear to you. You have done that for the last time! Here, there's no use to prolong the scene"
 Milly stepped nearer, and snatching the ring from her finger, she crushed 1t down into his hand.
 Her companions eyes clouded a It, tie as he answered:
 'I say, Milly, aren't you carrying your little farce too far It's only a trivial thing and you know it.
 Farce, indeed Neil Burnson. There's another thing. You needn't or der those flowers for me; I'll telephone myself"
 Then the fellow "that never got mad" said hastily:
 See here, young lady, the next time l order any flowers for you, you'll wear them. And when you want that rim you'll ask for 1t. Good-by."
 And Neil was off He didn't see the girls face pale, he was too angry to catch sight of her outstretched arms.
 Why Milly Clayton should drop into a chair and burst into tears when she had accomplished the thing she de- sired, was a mystery.
 Half an hour later Milly called up the florist and made him promise an early delivery. She must have them early.
 A picture the girl made in her shim- mering party dress of pale green. It set off the healthy pink in her face, and her wavy brown hair, and her brown eyes, still emitting defiance that but gave sparkle to the portrait.
 She gave pat to the silky folds of her dress, then looked at the clock.
 Flight o'clock, and no flowers have come! And I've patronized that florist for so long a time. I'll just leave him" she pouted.
 She looked down at her girdle where the flowers ought to be resting. Then her glance travelled to her left hand.
 How queer 1t seems with n--no firing. But girl can't wear every thing" she argued inwardIy. "Oh. 1t seems so-so lonesome-my ring and him gone"
 She looked in her mirror and began 10 study the radiant reflection in 1t.
 Perhaps was too quick, and child -per-haps-I-was," she drawled. ''If I'm old enough tos be society woman, Pm old enough to have little patience with Neil. He's such boy {! Besides, I do miss my ring and him." A loud peal at the doorbell startled her.
 There's the flowers. I'll 90 myself" She tripped down the stairs, and turned to open the door, and there stoOod Neil with box of flowers.
 The girls face lighted unconsciously. The young mans heart beat faster.
 Why, Neil Burnson, didn't tell you not to--engage-" Neil threw out his hand.
 "When young lady, one's own Hancee, ee,"-Millys head lifted defiantly -"orders me on the telephone to bring her flowers early, I obey" He ended with low bow.
 But l telephoned to the fiorist," ex- plained Milly.
 "You thought you did, dear girl; but your numbers got mixed. So here I 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 tumuit, stood looking down the street.
 Her companion produced from his pocket little figure of Cupid, which he placed on top of the telephone GOV ering.
 The girl with troubled eyes still gazed streetward.
 Neil next took the ring and hung 1t on the tip of Cupid's arrow. Then he called.
 "Come Milly, look at your lovely flowers The girl turned slowly, caught sight of the ring sparkling its wei come and with little quivering sigh she cried out:
 "Oh, my dear, darling ring. I've missed it so!' And she eagerly snatched 1t from its place. Then she looked at Nell, who tried his utmost