The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-05-25
A MIRAGE.

s, .ocebrush, an apparently endless
! ! 20 rooden trestle, big and rough at
a srst but dwindling as it receded
d from his point of vision into deli
d cate tracery of lines and finally fad
mo away into nothing in the dis
toncc, was the prospect upon which
] Kenneth McDougal had looked each
y evening of an approximate thousand
Il days, leaning against the doorpost
Of his shanty, pipe in mouth and
s hands in pockets, as was his post
8 prandial habit.
6 On the inside wall Of the shanty
we're testimonials of former incum-
q heuts as to the undesirability of the
q Mace as permanent residence, but
4 in spite of these McDougal had ac-
8 cepted the post Of engineer of the
81 Coyote pumping station for the sake
j Of the generous salary that went
q with it. The thought of a certain
& fair Helen who shared his patience
q if not his loneliness, did much to
q make the succession of monotonous
n days and duties tolerable and rob
d he'd the scene he was contemplating
4 of half its unloveliness.
s. Gazing toward the west, he per-
q ct.yed two figures coming toward
a Inn across the mesa Small and
Il shadowy against the evening sky at
q first, then palmer and palmer until
& he knew that they were man and
M woman, then that both were young
and that the woman wore no hat,
81 her fair hair floating out behind her
as though she came quickly. Her
& features he could not distinguish.
t As he looked che drew away from
! her companion, though he held out
detaining hand.
McDougal glanced backward into
81 the cabin to see if it were fit for the
81 8; advent Of unexpected guests. This
occupied but fraction Of n second,
a yet when he turned his eyes west
a ward again he saw only the mans
S36gure The woman was gone, van
ished in moment as though the
Il ground had opened and swallowed
'her.
II Hewas still staring stupidity ahead
when the man came up and non
s23 chalantly threw himself on the
bench at the doorway, stretched him
felf at full length upon it and OBJ
Eerved: You'll excuse me if take
!za nap first and tell you my iife's his
tory afterward. I'm denccd tired
ssszz1amred over since daylight and just
your place as l was about to
Ezglye out" He olasped his hands un-
der his tousled brown head and was
asleep before McDougal could reply,
Pnatural slowness toaotion, coupled
with the strange circumstance Con
pected with his guests arrival, de-
sprlving the poor fellow of the power
10 put into words the question he
s2longed to ask. He went into the
ssSTabln and started the preparation of
a meal and then went out, following
the pipe line along which the stran-
2gers had come, scanning the prairie
IN every direction and STOPPING to
Examine the sandy path for any evi-
j 'ence of footprints. His search was
yam, however, and, remem bering
|S ms duties as host, he turned home
ward.
II De was nearing the cabin rapidly
men suddenly he paused, compelled
Py some force he could not have ex-
Pialned. Across his face there SEEM
sfa TO blow breeze laden with. the
uong, dank smell of reedy waters,
3,! Mingled with the heavy perfume of
|illes budding, blossoming and de-
ay'ng in some dark waterway. Hes
as almost overcome by it, but,
'lh an effort, he moved on. In an
{ustant it was gone, in yet another
~ was at the cabin door, confront
ug his awakened guest.
You look pale, !" the young man
gOerved easily. II hope my sudden
Rif'Val hasn't put you out. I" And
IL smiled into his hosts puzzled
10 feel little upset, MoDou-
ai replied. 1.-The truth is, guess
long spell of my own society
as about scattering the few wits l
PAS ever blessed with. Now, You
ron.t believe it, but when you came
Y there there was woman with
W. and when took my eyes off you
moment she vanished. She
. fnt on the mesa, for I've looked,
~. Just as ! pasassssa. the spot " mere /
se5saw her last seemed to smell water
.'es and rushes and all that sort Of
Faatery thing"
# rather strange smell for these
s1.s' remarked the youth jocose-
seeing all the water you have
# us U.S. through a inch pipe.''
well, it was strange, that's a
out let's have supper, = he add-
W hospitality. ''you must be hun
after your long tramp. ~ He
Nv Nv up chair for his guest.