The Somerset reporter., 1907-05-09
By TRAY ALLISON.

ire 10 mine, Roger!
Cynthia's drawing voice could lend
itself to bits of sarcasm in a way that
would have maddened a less intiam-
mable person than Roger Somers.
Roger was enveloped in a scowl that
made it seem incredible he could ever
have entertained thoughts of being the
joy of anybody's soul. Cynthia's own
particular soul being beyond the limits
of possibility.
Did you-address me?" His cool
ness added decidedly to Cynthia's in
terest She raised herself in the ham
mock and arranged the cushions with
the care of one who is determined to
get comfort out of life.
Il was trying my voice sweetly. It's
been growing rusty for the last hour"
Roger sat stolidly ON the doorstep,
his buck eloquent with offended dig
nifty.
"One labors under such an inconven-
fence in addressing the back Of ones
audience"
y
upon distant spot on the lawn. try
Ing TO concentrate It's mind upon the
exact spot where the drivewaYs met
and wondering why the place didn't
seem the bit of heaven it had appeared
a week before upon entering through
that driveway to become one of Mrs.
Keener's guests.
mol Il mol In ton 70
babble. Roger that if you don't mind
will continue to put ii into sentences
for-er-my own entertain ment. Do
you mind my saying that | never have
seen such bunch of dignity as your
back represents? | cannot. without
making an effort that the warmth Of
the day forbids, see more of you than
the back Of your blue serge coat. a
slight glimpse of profile and the tips
of your patent feathers where the sun
strikes them
She leaned back in the hammock
shemeleSsly eonvu!sed with her own
wit. 1t was clearly evident that Gym
thia was enjoying herself.
We'll, if you are waiting for an an
Bwer to that psychological problem
you propounded' Roger sat erect de
lighted with the allitere re impressive
ness of his opening remark-"we can
probably reach the answer with less
difficulty If we go about it logically.
The statement that | am Joy to your
souk-we will let that remain undis
puted until it is clearly proved that
you have a soul"
Cynthia looked at him in frank de
light an appreciatiye smile curvinR her
lips. She thought it possible the audi
ence might face her soon, so she
changed the cushions and put the rose
colored one next her face.
you have such beautiful flow of
language. Roger'-there was a sweet
ness in her voice that caused the au-
dience to turn and look at her quickly
to discover the possibility Of latent sar-
casm-"I often wish l could talk"
Good Lord"-his fervor left no
doubt as to his sincerity-"is 1t really
a fact that you have recently lost your
voice? | thought you were merely
joking"
You had sulked for an hour.
might as well talk to a stone wall as
the back of a serge coat Now, | adj
NIT cheerfully that | have a fiendsh
temper You, according to your own
showing are never moved by stron-
ger or less meritorious feeling than
righteous indignation. As for me
Roger. did you ever see me when
was really angry
That Cynthia was an adept at facing
an audience no one of her aCquant-
ances would have denied Perhaps the
possession Of an adorable nose and
fluffy mass Of curly hair strengthened
her innate self confidence. Anyway,
Roger. having once looked. had q feel
ing that he had in some way weaken
ed for the fray-not that he intend
ed giving cynthia any inkling of the
slight feeling of mobilization that
stole over him, but the ruffles fell
around her forearm in most distract
ing manner.
His eyes softened into pity, the poor
girl had had so little opportunity for
learning self control. Taking course
as trained nurse had at one time
been her fad--not that she ever expect
ed to be one. but because desire for
knowledge and an everlasting pro
pensity for making experiments seemed
to have been born In her.
Roger in the depths of his soul had
always dsapproved Of trained nurses.
Her last escapade had completely con
vinced BIN that there was nothing
more unsuited for woman than such
a profession.
Was there any other circumstances
he asked himself that would have
made it seem proper to Mrs Keeners
household that Cynthia should sit in
that man Hardings room all the morn
ing. administering little doses Of med
icine simply because Harding's cold
had given him a fever that made him
talk out of his head?
Mrs. keener or one of the servants
could have given that medicine.
Il was sorry not to go rowing with
you last evening. The moonlight on
that river is something one doesn't see
aIu