Smyrna times., 1917-07-04
HAIGHT, The Mirage
BY JOSEPH T. KEscEL.

bright blue eyes ana nOneSC cOunten-
ance, he did not in the least resemble
the picture of his Satanic majesty.
His business partner, Harry Haight,
known among the camps as the mi
rage" was extremely tall and very thin.
"He's like mirage, cause you amt
dead sure whether it's something real
or not" an old prOspectOr had aptly
expressed it.
Their occupation was the same
that of mining engineer-but outside
Of working hours they devoted most
of their time to thinking up practical
jokes to play upon each other.
'Sate" was in the Office alone, plan
ming new map of the mining district,
while the Mirage" was doing some !
work away from town. The tinkle of
the telephone bell caused the rOly-pOly |
man to reach for the receiver. His |
face frightened at the words, as that
you, 'SateY"
"Yes-s-s! Oh, yes, Mrs. Thompson.
didn't recognize your voice at first,"
he chuckled into the transmitter.
''Your niece, Alice, coming on the
morning train? Hubby busy? Want
me to go with you to meet her? Ger
tainly, with pleasure, no trouble at all.
I'll call for you thirty minutes before
train time in the automobile. Good
by"
Even above the grinding brakes and
release of air could be heard a wOm-
ans clear voice from an open car win
dow calling, "Here l am, auntie-Over
here" The train came to a full stop,
the vestibules were opened and a dain-
ty foot tripped lightly down the steps
to the platform. Two flying figures
embraced each other. AUNT MOlly!"
"Alice!" "Oh, you dear, it is so good
to see you"
"Oh, excuse me, Alice" broke out
Mrs. Thompson suddenly, 81 want you
to meet my friend 'Sate.' 1 beg your
pardon" she rippled on, noting the
girls questioning look, "we call him
Safe but his right name is Mr.. Reed"
Bending over the wheel as the ma
chine sped toward Mrs. ThOmpsOn's
he heard the ripping laughter from
the tOnneau. Didn't think there were
any like that left back East" he
thought to himself. "She's a darlin'
and looks better than bonanza ore to
me-"
The annual ball of the Golden Queen
Mining company was the social event
of the year. The main camp hall was
ablaze with light and it's freshly
| -,
hOgany.
The grand march was announced,
whereupOn the joyous couples immedi-
ately formed in procession, their inn
patient feet beating time to the music.
Miss Seaboldt'S escort smiled, as he
thought of the joke he had framed
up on his business partner and the
young lady by his side.
The mirage" appeared, his tall fig
ure easily Overtopping the few men
standing near the smOking-rOOm door
"He is here! See that tall man over
there-that's the Mirage" State
eagerly remarked. "ToO bad he's sc
deaf. 1t will be necessary for you tC
speak loudly. You will not forget this
when you meet hlmT'
When the 'grand march" was fin
ished, "Sate" hurried to greet his part
ner with a hearty handshake.
"Who was that 1 saw you with {
few moments agO?" asked the "Mi
rage"
''The young lady 1 wrote to yOl
about staying over at the ThompsOns
You'll have to speak loudly to her
hearings not very good. Too bad
too, for she's pippin.'
Hooking an arm into his partners
"Sate" conducted him to the girl an
y shouted a cordial Introduction.
, Miss SeabOldt's pretty face flushe
i scarlet and her laughing brown eye
II were troubled. Why had Mrs. ThOmr
, son deserted her? People looked a
them, first inquiringly and then wit
amusement. The face of the mirage
n matched her own in redness and hi
X blue-gray eyes showed the agony b
was in.
The girls high-pitched voice wa
III plainly heard above the noisy chatte
as she replied to some question direc
ed at her in the loud, roaring tones {
the man.
D It was too much. "Sate" was oblige
to make for the smoking room, wheI
he dropped into large armchair, h
sides shaking with mirth. NumeroI
friends crowded around him and aske
the reason for his strange behavior.
"Let me at him! Let me at him
n It was the mirage" who entere
s. brushing the crowd to one side. wit
a howl of rage he grasped "Sate" /
the collar, jerked him up and slammC
III him back in the chair.
Friends hurriedly interceded, ar
led his struggling partner away.
- "Some hostile, wasn't he boys?
long, fellows. It's my dance with be
and If she's as hostile as the 'Mirag'
I'm saying good-by for keeps"
u Presently he returned to the smo
n L. Al