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

US. We've had such scramble over HonlS-
ter Crag, and brought back no end of flowers
for Gertrude. Bnt one thing I must say
that fellow Losford is jolly muff, though he
doesn't look it. Just funk, girls, and no
thing else. Will yougive me some tea, Mrs.
Goodwin"
''What nonsense you talk, Bobl" cried his
sisters, conscious by some feminine instinct
that her friends face was hotter than mo-
ment before; ''you are perfect maauvaiS en-
,tcsJd, bursting in like that. wish Mr.. Los
ford would teach you manners"
'I'd like to see him try. 1t would take
pluckier man than he is. Why he wouldn' It
come within yards of the edge, Mrs God
win! ~
Gle showed his usual good sense, Master
Robert, T" was that lady's tart reply She had
her reasons for looking favorably 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 get 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 APP
pearing where he was not wanted at mop
perfume moments, was as amusing as any
other Elton boy. Nevertheless, at this mo-
ment two people at least were ardently long
ing to make his ears Jingle.
''And what is the programme for to-mor-
row, Mr.. Godwin9" resumed the young gen
tleman, not whit daunted by the unfayor-
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
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
TO 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 go.
!, Gertrude's face as she went up to dress for
iinner was thoughtful. ''He showed his u.s.
ual good sense" Mrs. Goodwin had said,
and the words kept ringing in her daughters
ears until her lips had begun to curl with
scorn. If there was one thing which Ger
trude admired it was courage; was she be.
ginning, almost more than beginning, to
like a man who could be called coward even
by boys 1t made her cheeks Jingle with
shame and anger. Proud aud high-spirlted
herself, good sense of the kind Mrs. Goodwin
meant was not in high esteem with her.
And, alas, the insinuaton chmed in with
other things. Walter Losford was hardly
one to please romantic girl at first sight.
Cold, 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 merciful Judge. Living by rule
Of thumb, no wonder that he looked older
Than his thirty years, or that he repealed
chance acquantauces who called him prig.
Generally rcticent, he would sometimes tell
4, the truth with rude abruptness. Altogether,
his friends said little wanting in charity;
too practical, too matter fact And vet
poor Gertrude! when she met him at din
ner, the bauteur 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 contem ptu-
ously careless of all beside? If Walter had
spoken that evening he would have assured
~ 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
VII al uatf
top. Bob only was on the move, skirmish-
ing hither and thither untiringly
II say, Gertrude, here's specimen for
you! Here's a blue gentian growing on this
cliff, and rare good climb it VIII be to It. -
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 nearp' cried Mrs.
Goodwin.
Gertrude turned with her face a little
flushed 10 Losford. ''Can you get it for me,
Mr. Losfordl' she said gently, and with
something of appeal in her voice.
''Not without rope,n he answered calmly
1--WE will bring one up tomorrow"
Tomorrow p' cried Gertrude, with sud
Qen neat. Il Whub III now. BOD would get
1t for me in moment if asked him, Mr..
Losford.m
''Bob's head is perhaps steadier than
mine,n answered the other keeping 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 a moment he re-
mainedin that position as If entranced. scan
ming the depth below, a sheer three hun
dred feet and 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 establishment.
Sand quite right. too, Mr.. Losford: don't
try any such foolhardiness, l beg;'' cried
Mrs, Goodwin, loudly. Loudly, but not so that
he failed to hear the one word ''Cowsrdir or
10 distinguish the tone of contempt in which
fell from her daughters lips, as she turned
AWAY. 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
itup in twinkling, and chartered on in
such way as to earn everyones gratitude
Yet II was dull party that wended its way
'lsRn the hill, and clear it was to more than
eae that a budding romance had come to an
END over the little blue flower, which nes-
Eed so harmlessly in Gertrudes fair hair
ret mothers are sanguine and Mrs Godwin,s
face grew scarlet with anger when the SPRAY
appeared agsin at dinner eonspicuously fas
tened in the bosom of her daughters dress.
II 1t was only an awkward hour at dinner
sAst Mrs. Gadszi<s -faA<ad, fata u<as IA aaua