The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-08-07
A TALE OF THE RED PIKE.

"I thought 1 should find you with
the girls, Mr.. Goodwin. You should
have been with us. We've had such a
brought back no end of flowers Tor Ger
trude But one thing must say-that
fellow Losford is jolly muif, though
he doesn't look il. just funk, girls,
and nothing else. VIII you give me
some tea, Mrs. GOdwin?n
''What nonsense You talk, Bobr'
cried his sister, conscious by some femi-
nine instinct that her friend face was
hotter than moment before: you
are perfect DlG'trGis enfdut bursting
in like that. ] wish Mr.. Losford would
teach you manners"
"Pd like to see him try 1t would
take a plUckier man than he is. Why,
he wouldn't come within yards of the
edge, Mrs. Godwin!n
''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 a 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 Elton boy
Nevertheless, at this moment two peO-
pie at least were ardently longing to
make his ears Jingle.
And what is the programme for to-
morrow, Mr.. GodwinP' resumed the
young gentleman, not whit daunted
by the unfavorable reception of his last
remark. "Cau we picnic on the Red
Pike? 1t would he jolly fun"
The host hummcd aud hawed; he
rather preferred au open-air entertain
ment at n place accc sIble in an open
carriage. But if you have n house
among the mountains, up them you
must go. The climbing disease Is in
fictitious, and there is no evading it un-
I'll by permanent residence YOU be.
come proof against its attacks. Mr..
Goodwin would have to succumb sooner
or lated
Yessi3ob, - said Gertrude, sudden
" laying down the fan with which she
was playing, 1--WE will 20 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 Rcd Pike he would 60.
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 ears until her
lip began to curl with scorn. If there
was one thing which Gertrude admired
IL was courage; was she beginning
almost more than beginning. to like a
man who could be called q coward
even by n bovP II made her cheeks
tingo 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 insinuatiou chimed 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 everything by the argu-
mcnts of reason with impartial sever
ity, he would have made Just and not
too merciful Judge. Living by rule of
thumb. no wonder that he looked older
than S thirty years, or that he re-
PEELED chance acquaintance who
called him n prig. Generally reticent
he would sometimes tell the truth with
rude abruptncss. Altogether. his
friends said, a little wanting in charity;
too practical; too maiter-ot-faot. And
vet. poor Gertrude, when she met him
at dinner, 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 contemptuouSly.
careless of all beside? II Walter had
spoken shat evening he would have as
suredly gained his object, and Mrs.
. Goodwin been made n Lappy woman.
The Red Pike was red indeed in the
evening sunlight, every light that but
tressed its rugged top FURNISHED TO
ruddiness, and yet the party fingered.
reluctant TO abandon the view of sea
and land from Forth to Windermcre
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, diminishing
hithcr and thithcr untiringly.
Il say, Gertrude, here's a specimen
for you'll Here's n blue gentian grow
ing on this Cliff, and a rare good climb
il will be to it,
The party fastened to the edge Of the
cliff; in a Granny of the rock about
twelve feet down grew the flower Ger
trude had been long seeking to obtain
A slight open NC in the wall of the clitt
made it just feasible, if somewhat dan
gerous, TO reach IL.
Robert, don't go too nearr' cried
Mrs. Goodwin.
Gertrude turned with her face little
flushed to Losford. Can you get ii
for me, Mr.. LoSford?" she said gently,
and with something of appeal in her
voice.
mot without a rope he answer ed
calmly; eve will bring one up to-mor-
row
Tomorrow - cried Gertrude, with
sudden heat. Il want it now. Bob
would get II for me in a moment, if
asked him, Mr.. Losford."
"Bob's head is perhaps steadier than
mine, answered the other, keeping At