St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-20
A TALE OF THE RED PIKE.

US. We've had such a scramble over Honls-
ter Crag, and brought back no end of flowers
for Gertrude. Bnt one thing l must say
that fellow Losford is jolly muff, though he
doesn't look it. Just a funk, girls, and no
thing else. Will you give me some tea, Mrs.
Goodwin?'
'.What nonsense you talk Bob!" cri ed his
sisters, conscious by some feminine instinct
that her friends face was hotter than mo-
ment before; ''you are perfect naGuoGiS en-
JaH bursting in like that. / wish Mr. Los
ford would teach you manners"
''Fd like to see him try. Itwould take a
pluckier man than he is. Why he wouldn' It
come within yards of the edge, Mrs. God
win ~
''Ie showed his usual good sense, Master
Robert, " was that lady's tart reply. She had
her reasons for looking fayorably upon
Walter Losford, of Losford Court, Monmouth
shire, by no means the least honored guest
at Mr.. Godwin's lake villa. And they were a
very CHEEKY and pleasant party, the pleasant
est set Gertrude thought, that her mother
had ever got together, and Gertrude was
young lady of decided tastes and somewhat
difficult to please. Even Bob Marston, when
he was not saying malapropos things and ap-
perfume moments, was as amusing as any
other Elton boy. Nevertheless, at this mo-
ment two people at least were ardentiy long
ing to make his ears Jingle.
"And what is the programme for to-mor-
row, Mr.. Godwin?' resumed the young gen.
teman, not whit daunted by the unfavor-
able reception of his last remark. ''Can we
picnic on the Red Pike! 1t would be jolly
fungi
The host hummed and hawed; he rather
preferred an open-air entertainment at a
place accessible in an open carriage. But if
you have house among the mountains up
them you must go. The climbing disease is
Infectious and there is no evading it until
by permanent residence you become proof
against its attacks. Mr.. Goodwin would have
10 succumb sooner or later.
eyes Bob said Gertrude, suddenly lay
ing down the fan with which she was playing
''we will go to the Red Pike tomorrow"
And Bob. who thought that in his own
language he had rather ''put his foot in it, -
was comforted, and knew that to the Red
Pike he would CO.
Gertrude's face as she went up to dress for
dinner was thoughtful ''He showed his us
ual good sense" Mrs. Goodwin had said,
and the words kept ringing in her daughter
scorn. If there was one thing which Ger
trude admired it was courage; was she be
ginning, ALMOST more than beginning, to
like man who could be called coward even
by a boyS 1t made her cheeks tingle with
shame and anger. Proud aud high-spirted
herself, good sense Of the kind Mrs Goodwin
meant was not in high esteem with her.
And, alas, the insinuatlon chimed in with
other things. Walter Losford was hardly
one to- please a romantic girl at first sight
Gold, sensible and wanting in enthusiasm
even In his ambition, trying nearly every
thing by the arguments OF reason with i'm
partial severity, he would have made Just
and not too mereiful Judge. Living by rule
Of thumb, no wonder that he looked older
than his thirty years, or that he repealed
chance acquaintance who called him a prig
Generally rcticent, he would sometimes tell
the truth with rude abruptness. Altogether
his friends said a little wanting in charity |;
too practical, too matter-of-fact. And vet,
poor Gcrtrude 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
one who seems utterly, almost contemptu-
ously, careless of all besides If Walter had
spoken that evening he would have assured
IL gained his object, and Mrs. Goodwin been
made happy woman.
The Red Pike was red indeed in the even
ing sunlight, every cliff that buttressed its
rugged top FURNISHED to ruddiness, and vet
the party fingered, reluctant to abandon the
view of sea and land from Forth to Winde-
mere that held them entranced. Tea was
over and the servants had started downwards
with the baggage, yet the party which all
day had wandered separately or in pairs at
their several wills, still sat together on the
top. Bob only was on the move, skirmish-
ing hither and thither untiringly.
II say, Gertrude, here's specimen for
you! Here's blue gentian growing on this
cliff, and a rare good climb 1t will be to 1t. !,
The party FASTENED to the cliff; in cram
ny of the rock about twelve feet down grew
the flower Gertrude had been long seeking to
obtain. A slight opening in the wall of the
cliff made 1t just feasible, If somewhat dan
.yerous, to reach it.
'Robert, don't go too neari' cried Mrs
Goodwin.
Gertrude turned with her face a little
flushed to Losford. "Can you get it for me,
Mr.. Losfordr' she said gently, and with
something of appeal in her voice.
'Not without rope he answered calmly
''we win bring one up tomorrow
Tomorrow ~ cried Gertrude, with sud
den heat. II want it now. Bob would get
1t for me in moment if asked him, Mr..
Losford.'
''Bob's head is perhaps steadier than
mine," answered the other keeping a safe
distance from the edge. He was in no way
discomposed UNTIL as he finished until his
eyes met the girls full of contempt and an
ger Stung by the look he took hasty step
toward the edge of the cliff and bent down
to make the attempt. For moment he re-
malnedin that position as if entranced, scan
ming the depth below, q sheer three hun
bred feet, aud then green ledge and then
far beneath, pale blue Crummock water.
With quick shudder he passed his hand
across his eyes and recoiled, white to the
lips.
II can't get it for you,'' he said hoarsely.
falling back, while the others looked at one
smother in establishments
And quite right. too, Mr.. Losford; don't
Try any such foolhardiness, / beg;,, cried
mrs. Godwin, loudly. Loudly, but not so that
ne Jailed TO hear the one word ssCowardr, or
% distinguish the tone of contempt in which
feil from her daughters lips, as she turned
iWay. The next instant he was his own
calm self again, but he knew that he had his
dismissal.
As for the bit of blue gentian, Bob brought
up IN twfnkling, and chartered ON in
suea way as to earn everyones gratitude.
iet It was dull party that wendell its wav
ieA tse nil, and clear 1t was to more than
aae that a budding romance had come To an
snS over the little blue flower. which mes
TED so harmlessly In Gertrudes fair hair.
ret mothers are sanguine and Mrs. Godvinss
face grew scarlet with anger when the snrar
appeared again at dinner conspieuousiy fas-
tened In the bosom of her daughters dress.
Il was only an awkward hour at dinner
hst Ms GadzaA <aA<sd fata ~aa - .sua