The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-23
THE EVENING STORY
A Matter of Temperament.
CBy Tray Allison.)

would have maddened a less inf1am-
mable person than Roger somers.
Roger was enveIoped in a scowl
that made it seem incredible he could
ever have entertained thoughts of be-
ing the joy of anybody's soul-Cyn-
thia's own particular soul being be-
yond 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.
| II was trying my voice., sweetly,
j .'it's been growing rusty for the last
I hour"
Roger sat stoIidly on the doorstep,
| his back eloquent with offended dig
nifty.
Zone labors under such an incon-
venience in addressing the back of
| ones audience
The audience, however, kept it's
eyes upon distant spot on the lawn,
| trying to concentrate its mind upon
the exact spot where the driveway
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. Keeners guests.
| II feel such an inclination to-er-
| babble, Roger. that if you don't mind,
1 will continue to put it into sentences
| for-er-my own entertainment. Do
! you mind my saying that L never have
seen such a bunch of dignity as your
| back represents? 1 can not, without
| making an effort that the warmth of
the day forbids, see more of you than
the back of your blue serge coat,
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. 1t was clearly evident that Gym
thia was enjoying herself.
"Well-if you are waiting for an an
swer to that psychological problem
you propounded," Roger sat erect, de-
lHghted with the alliterative impress
siveness of his opening remark. we
can probably reach the answer with
less difficulty if we go about it logical
ly. The statement that 1 am a joy
to your soul-we will let that remain
undisputed until it is clearly proved
that you have q soul" a'
Cynthia looked at him in frank de-
light, an appreciative smile curving
her lips. She thought it possible the
audience might face her soon, SO she
changed the cushions and put the rose
colored one next her face.
you have such a beautiful flow of
language, Roger" there was a sweet
ness in her voice that caused the
audience to turn and look at her
quickly to discover the possibility of
latent sarcasm, st often wish 1 could
talk
GOOD LordI' his fervor left no
doubt as to his sincerity, sis it really
fact that you have recentlv lost your
voice? 1 thought you were merely
Joking"
HYou had sulked for an hour. I
might as we'll talk to stone wall as
the back of serge coat Now ad-
NIT cheerfully that I have a hendiSh
temper-you, according to your own
showing, are never moved by strong
er or less meritortous feeling than
righteous indignation. AS for me
Roger, did you ever see me when I
was really angry"
That Cynthia was an adept at facing |
an audience no one of her acquaint- |
ances would have denied. Pehaps the |
possession of an adorable nose and |
fluffy mass of curly hair strengthened |
her innate self-confdence, anyway
feeling that he had. in some way, |
weakened for the fray. Not that he |
intended giving Cynthia any inkling of
the slight feeling of modification that
stole over him-but the ruff1eS fell |
around her forearm in a most dis |
tracing manner.
His eyes softened into pity, the poor
girl had had so little opportunity for
as a trained nurse had. at one time,
been her fad-not that she ever ex-
pected to be one, but because a desire
for knowledge, and an everlasting pro-
pensity for trying experiments seemed
to have been born in her.
Roger. In the depths of his soul, had
always disapproved of trained nurses.
Fer last escapade had completely con-
more unsuited for a woman than such
Was there any other circumstances.
he asked himself. that would have
made it seem proper to Mrs. Keener's
household that Cynthia should sit in
that man Harding's room all the
morning, because Harding's cold had
given him a fever that made MIN talk
out of his head?
Mrs. Keener or one of the servants
could have given that medicine.
II was-sorry not to go rowing with
that river is something one doesn't see
always
There was an expression in her eyes
that was reminiscent
Roger broke off vicious1y the piece
of honeysuckle vine that had been
tickling the back of his neck
There were perhaps other things
that appealed to you more" coldly.
you know I prefer rowing, IN
:,
"Perhaps-if Harding had been we'll
enough to do the rowing. Not that !
believe he's sick enough to amount to
refusing to give an iota or ,
doubt as to Harding's general dupncity
of nature. ,
about a girl" She shamelessly broke
all rules of etiquette as to confidence
between nurse and patient.
Rogers increased scowl ANIMATED l
the possibility of belief that he ever {
had been, or ever could be joy to any
soul. 4
s@That's exactly what I thought he {
was raving about" hotly-"all about
loving a girl III
"It was evidently very nice girl :
he called her dearest-I think he even
referred to her as-er-an angel The +.
childishness of her smile seemed insult
6cient cause for the symptoms of
apoplexy Roger was exhibiting.