The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-12-11
A TALE. THE RED PIKE,

II thought should find you with the
girls, Mr.. Goodwin. You should have
been with us. We've had such q
scramble over Honister Crag, and
brought back no end of flowers for
Gertrude. But one thing I must say
that fellow Losford is jolly muff,
though he doesn't look it. Just . funk,
girls, and nothing else. Will you give
me some tea, Mrs: Goodwin ?"
"What nonsense you talk; Bob"
cried his sister, conscious by some fem
mime instinct that her friends face was
hotter than a moment before. "Yo,i
are perfect mauvais enfant bursting
in like that. I wish Mr.. Losford would
teach you manners"
I'D like to see him try: It would
take i pluckier man than he is: Why,
he wouldn't come within q yard Of the
edge, Mrs: Goodwin"
"He showed his usual good sense,
Master Robert" was the lady's
tart reply. She had her reasons
for looking favorably upon Walter
Losford, of Losford Court, Mon
mouthshire, by no means the least hon
ored guest at Mr.. Godwin's lake villa.
And they were very CHEEKY and pleas
ant party-the..' pleasantest set, Ger:
trude thought, that her mother had
ever got together, and Gertrude was a
young lady of decided tastes and some
what difficult to please. Even Bob
Marston, when he was not saying mala-
propos things, and appearing where he
was not wanted at inopportune mo-
ments, was as amusing as any other
Elton boy. Nevertheless, at this mo-
ment two people at least were ardently
longing to make his ears tingle.
"And what is the programme for to-
morrow, Mr.. Goodwin" resumed the
young gentleman, not whit daunted
by the unfayorvble reception OF his last
remark. "Can we picnic at the Red
Pike? It would ejolly fun"
The host hummed and hawed; he
rather preferred an open air entertain
ment at place accessible in an open
carriage. But if you have home
among the mountains, up them you
must go. The climbing disease is in.
fictitious, and there is no evadlng it un-
til by a permanent residence you be-
come proof against its attacks. Mr..
Goodwin would have to succumb sooner
or later.
eyes, Bob, said Gertrude, suddenly
laying down the. fan with which she
was playing I'VE will go to 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 80.
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 cars until her
lips began to curl with scorn. If there
was one thing which Gertrude admired
it was courage; was she beginning,
almost more than beginning. to like a
man who could be calleda coward even
by boy? It made her cheeks Jingle
with shame and anger: Proud and
high. spirited herself, good sense of
the kind Mrs. Goodwin meant was
not in high esteem with her. And, alas,
the insinuation chimed in with other
things. Walter Losford was hardly
81 >S1oooo ~.,,1 a.
sight. Cold, sensible and wanting in
enthusiasm even in his ambition, try.
ing nearly everything by the arguments
of reason with impartial severity, he
would have made just and not too
merciful Judge. Living by rule of
plumb, no wonder that he looked older
than his thirty years. or that he repel-
led chance acquaintance, who called
him a prig. Generally reticent, he
would sometimes tell the truth with
rude abruptness. Altogether his friends
paid, little wanting in charity; too
practical, too matter of-fact. And yet,
poor Gertrude when she met him ut
dinner. the hauteur she assumed melt
ed away, and she blushed and smiled at
his glance; for what is so fascinating as
the homage of one who seems utterly,
almost contemptuously, careless of all
beside? If Walter had spoken that
evening he would have assuredly gained
his object, and. Mrs. Goodwin been
made happy woman.
The Red pike was red indeed in the
evening sunlight, every cliff :that3but-
tressed it's rugged top FURNISHED torud-
diness, and yet the party fingered, re-
luctant to abandon the view of sea and
land from Forth. to Windermere that
held them entranced. Tea was over
and the servants had started downward
with the baggage, yet the party, which
all day had wandered separately >or in
pairs at their several wills, still sat to-
gether on the top. Bob was on the
move, skirmishing hither and thither
untiringly.
Il say, Gertrude, here's q. specimen
for you? Here's blue gentian grow
ing on this cliff, and rare good climb
it will he to it." i
The party fastened to the edge of the
T cliff; IN = Granny of the rock about
twelve feet down, grew the flower Ger
trude had been long seeking to obtain.
A slight opening in the wall of the cliff
made it just feasible, if somewhat dam
gerous, to reach it.
:. Robert; don't go too near!"~ cried
Mrs. Goodwin. e..
Gertrude turned with her face little
flushed to Losford. "Can you get it for
me, Mr.. Losford?" she said gently, and
with something of appeal in her voice.
"Not without a rope" he answered
calmly; 1--WE will bring one up to-mor-
row."
"To- morrow" cried Gertrude, with
sudden heat, II want it now. Bob
would get it for me in q moment if I
asked him, Mr.. Losford."
"Bob's head is perhaps, steadier than
mine," answered the other, keeping at
safe distance from the edge. He was
in no way discomposed until, as he fin
ished, his eyes met the girls, full Of
contempt and anger. 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-
NAMED in that position as If entranced,
scanning the depth below, sheer three
hundred feet, and then green: hedge,