The record. (Greenville, Ky.) 1899-1???, 1917-12-06
HAIgHT, The Mirage
BY JOSEPH r. kESCEL.

fright blue eyes and honest cOunten-
qrcc, he did not in the least resemble
the picture of his Satanic majesty.
His business partner, Harry uai:rht
Known among the camps as the Mi
rage, vas cNrrcn.cly tall and very thin.
lies like Il mirage. cause you aiu't
dead sure whether it's something real
or not" an old prospcctor had apply
expressed it.
Their occupation was the same
that OF mining enSincer-but outside
Of working hours they devoted mOSt
OF their time to thinking up practical
Jokes to play upon each. other.
Safe" was in the Office alone, plan
aing new map of the mining district,
While the Mirage" was doing some
work away from town. The ti!.kle OF
tle telephone bell caused the roly-pOly
tam to reach for tie receiver. His
iOu, 'SatCT"
"IGs-s-s! Oh, Yes, Mrs. Thompson.
/ didn't recognize your voice at first"
he cnUcI,ed into the transmitter.
"EUEr niece, Alice, coming ON the
morning train? Hubby busy? Want
'ne to 60 with you to meet her? Ger
family, With PLEASURE 10 trouble at al.
I'll call for You thirty minutes before
train tine il tie automobile. Good
by-"
Even above The grinding brakes and
release of air could be heard q wOm-
ans clear voice from an open car Win
dow calling, Here [ am, auntie-over
here" The train came to full stop,
the vC2tibulCs were opened and IL dain-
" foot triDpeG lightly down the steps
to the platform. Two flying figures
embraced each other. Aunt Molly!"
"Alicc!" oh, you dear, it is SO good
to see YOU"
"Oh, excuse me, Alice broke out
Ms. Thompson suddenly, Il wait you
TO meet my friend Safe l beg your
pardon" size ripp!Cd on, uotiEg the
girls questioning look, I'VE call ki,u
safe l,l his right ndme is Mir. Reed"
BENDING over the wheel as The ne
chine sped toward Mrs. ThognpsoE'a
he heard the ripping laughter from
litc iollllNGlts lCIull J4itIc EsIJ
any like that left back East" lie
thought to himself. ''She'a IL tlarlin'
and looks better than bonanza ore to
me-"
The annual bali Of the Golden Queen
Mining company was the social event
Of the year. The main camp hall w;s
AElaZe with light and it's freshly
WaXed floor shone like polished ms
ECgany.
The grand march was announced.
whereupOn the joyous couples immedi-
ately formed in procession, their in!
patient feet beating time to the music
Miss Seaboldt's escort smiled as lie
thought of the joke he had framed
up on his business partner and the
young lady by his side.
The Mirage" appeared, his tall fo,
ure easily overlapping the few neh
standing near the sinoking-rOom door.
"ue is here! See that tall man over
thcre-that's the Mirage" State
eagerly remarked. 'TOO bad he's so
leaf! 1t Will be necessary for you to
speak loudly. YOU Will not forget this
when you meet him:'
When the "grand march was fin.
iSAed, "Sate" hurried to greet his part
Fer with q hearty handshake.
"INho was that 1 saw you with
few moments agoT asked the mi.
rage"
The young lady I wrote to you
about staying over ut the ThOmpsons'.
3ToulI have to speak loudly to her
hearings not very good. Too bad
ZOO, for shes pippin.'
Hooking an arm into his partners,
"Satc" conducted him to the girl and
shouted a cordial Introduction.
Miss SeabGldt's pretty face flushed
scarlet and her laughing brown eyes
were troubled. Why had Mrs. Tho,lIl-
son deserted her? People locke! at
them. first inquiringly and the!. with
amusement. The face of the Mira ge'
matched her own in richness and his
bluc-gray eyes showed the agony lie
WAS in.
The girls hish-TitchcI voice was
plainly heard above the noisy ciiulter
ed at hcr in the loud, roaring tones CT
1Ee man.
It was too much. 'S;ite" Nsaa ni,ii2c;.
To make for the shooting room, Wi:rrE
he 'ir1ppeG into q large armchair, his.
sides SHAKING with mirth. NumcrGus
friends crowded around him and asked
the reason for his strange behavior
LET me III min! Let me at Lin -
It was fhe "Aiirage'' who entered.
brushing The crowd to one side. With
q howl of rage lie graSped "Sate" hy
the CELLAR. 5efke<! him ny and slamlaed
IiiGn back il the Chair.
Friends i,upr!eGly intcfocdeA ard
led I.!4 struggling partner away.
"Sone hostile, wasn't he boys? SO
long, fellows. It's my da;Ge with her,
and If she's as hostile as the 'AIragc,
I'lA saying g0Od-by for keeps"
-'ve4ently lie returned TO the e;i.ciI.
ir| rS"an. and srortcd: IT'S Il cinch
I'll have 10 jaia the bunch of stays at
supper"
els last statement WAS entirely cor
rect. She with the laughing brown
eyes sat Enside the Mirage" At the
taf3la ard year later walked bcai'tG
HIM in Ike nlain church aisle While
"Sate" and MIS-, Thompson followed
Clc3e behind.
copyright, l91?, by the McCiHrs AsBspa.
DeV EypSscatG.)
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