The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-08-08
A TALE OF THE RED PIKE.

A TALE OF THE RED PIKE.
ST thought 1 should find you with
the girls, Mr.. Goodwin. You should
have been with us. We've had such a
scramble over Honister Crag, and
brought back no end of flowers for Ger
trude. But one thing / must say-that
fellow Losford is a jolly muff, though
he doesn't look it. just funk, girls,
and nothing else. Will you give me
some tea, Mrs. Godwinp'
"What nonsense you talk, Bobr'
cried his sister, conscious by some femi-
nine instinct that her friends face was
hotter than a moment before: 'You
are a perfect nldardts enfdnt bursting
In Ike that. wish Mr.. Losford would
teach you manners"
I'D like to see him try. 1t would
take pluckier man than he is. Why,
he wouldn't come within yards of the
edge, Mrs Godwinr'
He showed his usual good sense,
Master Robert" was the lady's tart re-
ply. She had her reasons for
looking favorably upon Walter Los
ford, of Losford Court. Mon
mouthshire, 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 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 NAL
apropos things and appearing where he
was not wanted at inopprtune moments,
was as amusing as any other Eton boy.
Nevertheless, at this moment two peo-
pie at least were ardently longing to
make his ears Jingle.
land what is the programme for to-
morrow, Mr.. Godwin?" resumed the
young gentleman, not whit daunted
by the unfavorable reception of his last
remark. ''Can we picnic on the Red
Pike? 1t would be Jolly 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 house
among the mountains, up them YOU
must 60. The climbing disease is in.
fectious, and there is no evading it un.
til by permanent residence YOU be
come proof against its attacks. Mr.
Goodwin would have to succumb sooner
or later.
"Yes, Bob," said Gertrude, sudden
~ laying down the fan with which she
was playing, eve will 90 to the Rec
Pike tomorrow"
And Bob, who thought that in his
own language, he had rather "put hi.
foot in it." waS-comforted. ard knew
that to the Red Pike he would 90.
Gertrude's face, as she went up tx
dress fer dinner, was thoughtful. H,
showed his usual good sense" Mrs
Goodwin had said, and the words KEEP
ringing in her daughters ears until hel
lip began to curl with scorn If there
was one thing which Gertrude admired
almost more than beginning. to like {
man who could be called a coward
even by a boy? 1t made her cheeks
tinge with shame and anger. PROUD
and high spirited herself, good sens,
Of the kind Mrs. Goodwin meant wa
not in high esteem with her. And
alas, the insinuation chimed in witt
other things. Walter Losford wa.
hardly one to please romantic girl a
first sight. Cold, sensible and wanting
In enthusiasm even in his ambition
trying nearly everything by the argu
ments of reason with impartial sever
ity, he would have made q Just and no
too merciful Judge. Living by rule o
thumb, no wonder that he looked oldel
than his thirty years, or that he re
PEELED chance acquaintance whit
called him prig. Generally reticent
he would sometimes tell the truth witt
rude abruptness. Altogether. hi
friends said, little wanting in charity
too practical; too matter-of-fact. AND
yet. poor Gertrude. when she met hin
at dinner, the hauteur she assumed
melted away and she blushed ant
smiled at his glance; for what is 81
fascinating as the homage of one who
seems utterly, almost contemptuously
careless of all beside? If Walter haG
spoken that evening he would have as
suredly gained his object, and Mrs
Goodwin been made happy woman.
The Red Pike was red indeed in the
evening sunlight, every light that but
fressed its rugged top Furnished t.
ruddiness, and yet the party fingered
reluctant to abandon the view of Sc:
and land from Forth to Windermer,
that held them entranced. Tea wa.
over and the servants had started
downwards with the baggage, yet tn,
party, which all day had wandered
separately or in pairs at their severa
wills. still sat together on the top. Boil
only was on the move, skirmishins
hither and thither uptiringly.
Il say, Gertrude, here's a specimen
for you! Here's blue gentian grow
ing on this cliff. and a rare good climl
1t will be to it''
The party FASTENED to the edge of tn.
cliff; in a Granny of the rock abou
twelve feet down grew the flower Ger
9rudt lad been long seeking to obtain
A slight open ng in the wall of The elf
made it Just feasible, if somewhat dan
seerous, to reach it.