Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-07-17

4 TALE OF THE RED PIKE.

have been With US. We've had sucn
a scramble over HOnister Crag, and
brought back no end Of flowers for
Gertrude But one thing l must say
that fellow Losford is jolly mutf,
though the doesn't look it. Just
funk, Girls. and nothing else. Wlu
YOU give me some tea, Mrs. cod
wing a.,
"Wbat nonsense you talk, Bob.'
cried his sister, conscious by some
feminine instinct that her friends
face was hotter than a moment be-
fore: You arc a perfect mdurdts
enfaat bursting in like that. l wish
Mr.. Losford would teach you man
ners.
'T'd like to see him try. 1t would
take a pluckier man than he is. Why,
he wouldn't come within yards OF the
edge, Mrs. Goodwin"
HE showed his usual good sense,
Master Robert, was that lady tart
reply. She had her reasons for look
ing e. yorably upon Walter Losford,
of Iosford Court, Monmouthshire, by
no means the least honored guest at
Mr.. Godwin's lake villa. And they
were very CHEEKY and pleasant
party, the pleasantest set, Gertrude
thought, that her father had ever got
together, and Gertrude was young
lady of decided tastes and somewhat
difficult to please. Even Bob Mars
ton, when he was not saying mala-
propos things and appearing where
he was not wanted at inopportune
moments, was as amusing as any
other Elton boy. Nevertheless, at
this moment two people at least were
ardently longing TO make his ears
Jingle.
''And what is the programme for to-
morrow, Mr. Goodwin, q resumed the
young gentleman, not a whit daunted
by the unfavorable reception OF his
last remark. "Can we picnic on the
Red Pike Itwould be Jolly fun.
The host hummed and hawed he
rather preferred an open air entertain
ment at a place accessible in am open
carriage. But if you have house
among the mountains, up them you
must 90. The climbing disease is in
fictitious, and there is no evading it
until by permanent residence you
become proof against its attacks. MIR.
Goodwin would have to succumb sooner
or later.
eyes, Bob. said Gertrude, sudden
ly laying down the fan with which
she was playing, I'VE will 60 to the
Red Pike tomorrow.
And Bob, who thought that in his
own language he had rather put his
foot i'm it, was comforted and knew
that to the Red Pike he would 60.
Gertrude's face as she went up to
dress for dinner was thoughtful. He
showed his usual good sense, Mrs,
Goodwin had said, and the words kept
ringing in her daughters ear until her
lips began to curl with scorn. If there
was one thing which Gertrude admir-
ed il was courage; was she beginning
almost more than beginning, to like a
man who could be called coward
even 10y boy2 1t made her cheeks
tinge with shame and anger. Proud
anG high spirited herself, good sense
OF the kind Mrs. Goodwin meant was
no: i'm high esteem with her And,
alas, the nsiuualion Ihimed IN with
other things Walter Losford was
hardly one to please a romantic girl
at first sight Cold, sensible and
wanting i'm enthusiasm even in has
ambitiou, trying nearly everything
by the arguments Of reason with i'm
partial severity, he would have made
a Just and not too mcrciiul judge.
Living by rule of thumb, no wonder
that he looked older than his thirty
years, or that he repealed chance ac-
qualntauCCs who called him a prig.
Generally letjceut, he would some
times tell the truth with rude abrupt
ness, Altogether, his friends said, a
little wanting i'm charity too practical,
too matteroffact And yet poor
Gertrude when she met HIM at din
ner the hauteur She assumed melted
away and She blushed and smiled at
his glance; for what is so fascinating
as the homage of ORe who seems utter
ly, almost contemptUouSly careless of
all beside. If Walter had spoken
that evening he would have 2ssuredly
gained ms object, and Mrs. Goodwin
been made a happy woman.
The Red Pike was red INDEED in the
evening sunlight, every cliff that
bAthtoNtb itN IuHEtN lbp DUFulSlltu
to ruddiuess, and vet the party lin
gered reluctant to abandon the view
of sea and land from Forth to
Wmdermere that held them en-
tranced. Tea was over and the ser
wants had started dowuwards with
the baggage, yet the party, which all
day had wandered separately or in
pairs at their several wills. sull sat To-
gether on the top. Bob only was on
the move, diminishing Mther and
thither untiringly.
Il say, Gertrude, here's a specimen
for you Here's blue geuuau grow
ing on this Cliff and "a rare good
climb it viii be tolt.
The party fastened To the edge of
the cliff; in a Granny of the rock
about twelve feet down grew flower
Gertrude had been long seeking to
obtain. a slight opening in the wall
of the cliff made It just feasible, Il
somewhat dangerous To reach IT.
Robert, don't go too near cried