The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-10
TALBOT TIE RED PIKE
Showing How Coward Proved 10
BE a Hero.

al thought should find you with the girls
Mr. Goodwin. You should have been with us,
We've had such a scramble over Honsster Crag
and brought back no end OF flowers Tor Ger
trude But one thing / must say--that fellow
L0siord is "A jolly muH. thoagh he DOESN'T look
It, .nst funk, girls, and nothing else. VIII
you give me some tea, Mrs Goodwin ?"
"Nhat nonsense you talk, Bob' cried his
sister, conscious by some feminine instinct
that her friend face was hotter ti.an moment
before :. You are a perfect RaHrzis cafaR,
bursting in like that. ! wish Mr. Losford
would teach yoa manners.
I'D like to see him try. il would take
pluckier man than he IS. Why. he wonlda't
come within yards OF the edge Mrs Goodwin F"
lie showed his usual good sense, Master
Robert was tflat lady's tart reply. She had
her reasons for looking fayorably upon Walter
lsOsford. of Losl0g4 Court, Moumouthsiire, by
no means the least honored guest at nr. God
wins lake villa. And they were very CHEEKY
and pleasant party, tbs pleasaRtest set. 6ertrade
thought, THAI her mother had ever got together,
and Gertrude was young lady OF decided tastes
and somewhat difficult to please Even Bob
harst0n, when he was not saying malaPnop0s
things and appearing where he WAS not wanted
at inopportune moments, was as amusing as any
other Elton hoy. Nevertheless, at this moment
two people at least were ardenty longing TO
make his ears tingle.
+" Aud what is the program for tomorrow,
Mr.. Goodwin" resumed the young gentleman,
not whit dauntod by the nnfayorabie recep-
ton OF bis last remark. Gan We picnic on the
Red Pike2 ItwOuld be jolly fun"
The host hummed ana hawed; he rather pre-
ferred an open air entertainment at place
accessible il an open carriage. But If you have
house among the mountains, up them you
must 60. The climbing disease is infectious,
and there is no evading it until by 4 permanent
residence you become proof against lis attacks
Mr. Goodwin would have 10 succumb sooner or
later
Yes Boh,D said Gertrude, suddenly laying
down the fan with which she was playing we
viii go to the Rea Pike tomorrow.
And Bob, wEo thought that, in his own Ian
guage be had rather put his foot in it, was
comforted, and knew that to the Red Pike he
would 90.
Gertrude's face as she went up to dress for
dinner was thoughtful de showed his usual
good sense" Mrs. Goodwin had said, and the
words kept ringing in her daughters ears until
her lip began 10 curl with scorn. If there was
one thing which Gertrude admired il was cour-
age; was she beginning, almost more than be-
ginning. 10 like man who could be called
coward even by a boy2 1t made her checks
tingie with shame and anger. Proud aud
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 one 10 please a romantic girl at first
sight. Cold sensible and wanting in enth1si-
assn even-in bis ambition, trying nearly every
thing by the arguments of reason With Impair
tial severity he would have made just aud
not too mercfnl judge. Living by rule Of
thumb no wonder that he looked older than
his thirty years, or that he repealed chance ae-
Quaintances, who called him a prig. Generally
retieent he would sometimes tell the truth
- i
said. lttie wanting in charity; too practical,
too matter-offaet. And yet. poor Gertrude!
when she met him at dinner, the hauteur she
assumed melted away and she blushed and
smiled al his glance for what is so fascinating
as the homage of one who seems utterly, almost
c0ntcTnptl0usly. careless Of all beside2 If Wal
ter had spoken that evening lie would have as
surediy gained his object and Mrs. Goodwin
been made happy woman.
The Red Pike was red indeed IN the evening
sunlight every cliff that buttressed its rugged
top FURNISHED TO rHddiness, and yet the party
fingered. reluctant to abandon the view OF sea
and land from Forth TO Mindermere that held
them entranced. Tea was over and the SER
wants had started doEnwards with the baggage,
yet tte PARTY, which ali day had wandered sep
Rrately or in pairs at their several wills, still
sat together on the top. Bob only was on the
move, skir1aishing hither and thither untir-
ingly.
say, Gertrude, here's specimen for you
Here's blae gsniiSn growing on thisclih: and
3 rare good climb il viii be 70 L."
The party fastened TO the edge of the cliff:
in Granny Of the rock about twelve feet down
grew the flower Gertrude had been long seek
ing TO obtain. slight opening in the wall Of
cliff made it just feasible, if somewhat danger
Gus, TO reach il.
Robert. don't gotOo nearl" cried Mrs God
win.
Ia 4,-,,5 -;tt, as, fses q 7;t4I. 1,,sJ5
to L0stord. Can you get ii for nae, Mr. Los
fords" sue said gently, and with something of
appeal In ber voice.
Not without a rope" be answered calmly
we viii bring one up tomorrow"
Tomorrow cried Gertrude with sudden
heat - want Il now. Bob would get il for
me in q moment II ] asked him, Mr.. Losford"
& Bob's bead Is perhaps steadier than mine"
answered the other, keeping at safe distance
from the edge lie was Ia 10 way discompossd
until, as be finished, bis eyes met the girls full
Of contempt and anger. Stung by the look he
took hasty step towards the edge Of the cliff
and bent down to make the attempt. For a
moment be remained IN that position as if en-
tranced. scanning the depth below, a sheer
BOO feet. and then green ledge. and then, far
beneath, pale-biue CrummOck Water. With
quick shudder he passed his hand across his
Eyes and rec0led. white TO the lips.
can't get itfor you, he said hoarseiy, fall
lIfe BACK. Aiilit TIE others looked at one an
other IN establishment
And quite right too Mr. Losford don't
try any such foolhardiness beg cried Mrs
Goodwin loudly. Loudly, but not so that he
failed 10 bear the one word Coward" or TO
distinguish the tone Of contempt in which it
fell from her daughters lips as she turned
away. The next instant he was his old calm
self again, but he knew that he had his dis
missal
As for the bit Of blue gentian, Bob brought
1t up in a twinkliBg and chartered on in such a
way as TO earn every ones gratitude. Yet IL
was dull party that wended its way down the
ball. aud clear 1t was TO more than one that a
budding romance had come 10 an end over the
little blue flower which nestled SO harmlessly
N t'ertTude's fair hair Yet mothers arc san
guine and Mrs. Godwins face grew scarlet with
niger when the spray appeared again at dinner
sonspicuouslg fastened in the bosom Of her
3aughtcT's dress
fit was only an awkward hour at dinner
that Mrs. Goodwin feared, Fate was 20 save her
hospitality from, 10 do her justice, an unwonted
slur
Where IS Robert?" she asked pettishly.
efter helping the soup. do you know,
Niole: -
Miss MarSton did not Bob was not wont Ia
be pnnciual, aud she was about 10 say 50 when
The butler. who had been called from the room.
entered hastily and whispered something in
his masters ear. Ar. Goodwin rose quickly.
Ny dear this is bad news. There has been
fan at the lead works"
How unfortunate! I am thankful the men