Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1917-10-15
RAIGaT, THE MIRAGE
By JOSEPH I. KEscEL.

Out In the mining camps of the
Southwest Frank Reed was known as
Satan" or for short, "Sate." Short
and stout, with a roly-poly figure,
bright blue eyes and honest 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.
Hes 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, ''Is that
you, Safer"
"Yes-s-sl 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 wom-
ans clear voice from an open car win
dow calling, Here am, auntie-over
here" The train came to a full stop,
the vestibules were opened and dain-
ty foot tripped lightly down the steps
to the platform. Two flying figures
embraced each other. "Aunt Mollyl"
"Alicei" ''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, 1--WE call him
'Sate,' 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 darAn'
| 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 its freshly
waxed floor shone like polished ma
hogany.
The grand march was announced,
whereupon the joyous couples immedi-
ately formed in procession, their i'm
| 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 overlapping the few men
standing near the smoking-room door.
"He is hereI See that tall man over
| there-that's the Mirage" State
| eagerly remarked. "Too bad he's so
deaf. 1t will be necessary for you to
speak loudly. You will not forget this
when you meet him?"
When the grand march" was fin
ished, "Sate" hurried to greet his part
ner with hearty handshake.
"Who was that / saw you with
few moments ago?" asked the mi
rage"
'@The young lady / wrote to you
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 and
shouted cordial Introduction.
Miss Seaboldt's pretty face flushed
scarlet and her laughing brown eyes
were troubled. Why had Mrs. Thomp-
son deserted her? People looked at
them, first inquiringly and then with
amusement. The face of the Mirage"
matched her own in redness and his
blue-gray eyes showed the agony he
was In.
The girls hish-pitched voice was
plainly heard above the noisy chatter
as she replied to some question direct
ed at her in the loud, roaring tones Of
| the man.
1t was too much. "Sate" was obliged
to make for the smoking room, where
he dropped into large armchair, his
sides shaking with mirth. Numerous
friends crowded around him and asked
the reason for his strange behavior.
Let me at himi Let me at him r.
| 1t was the Mirage" who entered,
brushing the crowd to one side. With
howl Of rage he grasped "sate" by
the collar, jerked him up and slammed
him back in the chair.
Friends hurriedly interceded, and
led his struggling partner away.
Some hostile, wasn't he boys? So
long, fellows. It's my dance with her.
and il she's as hostile as the Mirage
I'm saying good-by for keeps"
Presently he returned to the smok-
ing room, and snorted: sIt's a cinch
I'll have to Join the bunch Of stays at
supper"
His last statement was entirely cor
rect She with the laughing brown
eyes sat beside the Mirage" at the
table and year later walked beside
him In the main church aisle. while
"Sate" and Mrs. Thompson followed
close behind.