The record. (Greenville, Ky.) 1899-1???, 1917-10-04
HAIGHT, THE mirage
BY JOSEPH T. KEScEL.

rage" was extremely tall and very thin.
Hes like a mirage, cause you amt
dead sure whether it's something real
or not" an old tprospector had APPLY
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
aing u 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
fnan to reach for the receiver. His
ace frightened at the words, as that
you. 'Sate?"
''YcS-s-s! Oh, yes, Mrs. Thompson.
didn't recognize your voice at first"
he chuckled into the traIsmitter.
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 il tie 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 1 am, auntie--Over
| here" The train came to full stop,
the vestibules were opened and q dain-
ty foot tripped lightly down the steps
| b ,>Io H1-ino
embraced each cther. Aunt MOlly!"
"Alice" ooh, you dear, it is So good
to see yOu."
ooh, excuse me, Alice" broke out
Mrs. Thompson suddenly, II wait you
to meet my friend Safe 1 beg your
pardon" she rippled on, noting the
girls questioning look, tive call hi1
Safe but his right name is Mr.. Reed"
Bending over the wheel as the m?
chine sped toward Mrs. Thompson -
he heard the ripping laughter fron
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 WIS
ablaze with light and it's. freshl,
waXed floor shone like polished ma
hogany.
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 he
thought of the joke he had framed
up on his business partner and TIL
] young lady by his side.
, The Mirage" appeared, his tall fig
! ure easily overlapping the few mel
standing near the smoking-room door
Gle is here! See that tall man over
there-thats the Mirage" State
eagerly remarked. "TOo bad he's Sc
deaf. It will be necessary for you tt
speak loudly. You Will not forget thi:
when you meet him?"
When the grand march" was fin
ished, "Sate" hurried to greet his part
: ner with hearty handshake.
"Who was that I saw you with
few moments ago" asked the 'Mi
rage"
1.-THE young lady 1 wrote to yo1
K about staying over at the Thompsons
You'll have to speak loudly to her
hearings not very good. Too BAG
too, for she's pippin."
g Hooking an arm into his partner:
l. "Sate" conducted him to the girl an
@ shouted a cordial Introduction.
II Miss Seaboldt's pretty face fushe
u scarlet and her laughing brown eye
y were troubled. Why had Mrs. ThollI
son deserted her? People looked g
them, first jnquiringly and then wit
i amusement. The face of the Mirage
10 matched her own in redness ard hi
X blue-gray eyes showed the agony b
e was in.
II The girls high-pitched voice We
r. plainly heard above the noisy chatte
10 as she replied to some question direc
e ed at her in the loud, roaring tones {
u the man.
1t was too much. "Sate" was oblige
to make for the smoking room, whel
7 he dropped into a 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
It was the Mirage" who entere
ly brushing the crowd to one side. Wi
in a howl of rage he grasped "Sate"
es the collar, jerked him up and slamm'
ne him back in the chair.
on Friends hurriedly interceded, al
er led his struggling partner away. -
"Some hostile, wasn't he boys?
long, fellows. It's my dance with he
r and If she's as hostile as the 'N1irag
I'm saying good-by for keeps"
-, Presently he returned to the smo
ing room, and srorted: Its q Gin
I'll have to join the bunch of stays
supper"
III His last statement was entirely CT
-et rect. She with the laughing broI
ma eyes sat beside the Mirage" at t
an table and year later walked best
,re him in the main church aisle, VIII
cs. '.Sate" and Mrs. Thompson follow
rIn close behind.
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure NewsI
per SysScate.)
81 THE
n IA NE as