The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-28
A MATTER OF TEMPERAMENT
By Tray Allison.

Copyright, 19O7, by Homer Sprague.
 Am I the joy to your soul that you are to mine, Roger|
 Cynthia's drawling voice could lend itself to bits of sarcasm in a way that would have maddened a less inflam- mable person than Roger Somers.
 Roger was enYeloped 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 arrandged the cushions with the care of one who is determined to get comfort out of life.
 q way trying my voice." sweetly, It's been growing rusty for the last hour"
 Roger sat stolidly on the doorstep, his back eloquent with offended dignity.
 "One labors under such an incon- venience in addressing the back of ones audience"
 The audience, however, kept its eyes upon a distant spot on the lawn, trying to concentrate his mind upon the exact spot where the driveway met, and wondering why the place didn't seem the bit of heaven 1t had appeared a week before upon entering through that driveway to become one of Mrs. Keener's guests.
 q feel such an inclination to--er-- babble. Roger, that if you don't mind. I will continue to put it into sentences for-or--my own entertainment Do you mind my saying that never have seen such a bunch of dignity as youB back represents? I cannot, without making an effol. 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. shamelessly convulsed with her own wit It was clearly evident that Gym thia was enjoying herself.
 "WelI-if you are waiting for an answer to that psychological problem you propounded," Roger sat erect, de- lighted with sthe alliterative impress siveness of his opening remark, i've can probaly reach the answer with less difficulty if we go about 1t logically. The statement that I am joy to your soul--we will let that remain undis- puted until it is clearly proved that you have soul"
 Cynthia looked at him in frank de- light, an appreciative smile curving her lips She thought 1t possible the audience might face her soon, as she changed the cushions and put the rose- colored one next her face
 You have such beautiful flow of language, Roget" 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 sarcasm, q often wish 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? I thought you were mere ly joking"
 You had su1ked for an hour. might as well talk to a stone wall as the back of a serge coat. Now l ad- init cheerfully that I have fiendish temper-you, according to your own showing, are never moved by a strong CT or less merltorious feeling than righteous indignation. As for me Roger, did you ever see me when l was really angry"
 That Cynthia was an adept at facing an audience no one of her acquaint- ance would have denied. Perhaps the possession of an adorable nose and a fiuffy mass of curly hair strengthened her innate self confidence, anyway Roger, having once looked, had a feel ing that he had in some way, weak aned for the fray. Not that he intend- ed giving Cynthia any inkling of the slight feeling of notification that stole over him-but the ruhles fell around her forearm in a most distracting man ner.
 His eyes softened into pity. the poor girl had so little opportunity for learning self-control Taking a course as a trained nurse had, at one time. been her fad-not that she ever ex-