The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-07-25

Mnen pnnped, yie!dlng 1Our-fold s0od!
What is it on which sxeetheart's feed.
III: '.s.y ~. r. Journal
TALE OF THE RED PIKE.
II thought should find you with the
girls. Mr.. Goodwin. You should hsve
been with us. We've had such scram-
ble over Honister Crag, and brought
back no end Of flowers for Gertrude.
But one thing must say.-thst fellow
Losford isl jolly muk, though he doesn't
look it. just funk, girls, and nothing
else. Will you give me some tea, Mrs.
Godwin?n
"What nonsense you talk, Bob!" cried
his sister, conscious by some feminine
instinct that her friends face was hotter
than a moment before. "You are per-
feet mauvais enfant bursting in like that.
I wish Mr.. Losford would teach you
manners.
I'D like to see him try. II would take
q pluckier man than he is. Why, he
wouldn't come within yards Of the edge.
Mrs. Godwinl"
"He showed his usual good sense,
Master Robert = was that lady's tart re-
ply. She had her reasons for looking
favorable upon Walter Losford, Of Los
ford Court, Monmouthshire, by no
means the best honored guest at Mr..
Godwin's lake villa. And they we're a
very CHEEKY and pleasant party, the
pleasantest set, Gertrude thought, that
her mother had ever got together, and
Gertrude was young lady of decided
tastes and somewhat difficult to please I.
Even Bob Marston, when he was not
saying malapropos things and appear
ing where he was not wanted at inop.
perfume moments, was as amusing as
any other Eton boy. Nevertheless, at
this moment two people at least were
ardently longing to make his ears TIM
gle.
"And what is the program for to-mor-
rnw., Mr. aGedwiE 9s resumed the young
gentleman, not q whit daunted BY the
unfavorsble 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
fictitious, and there is no evading it un-
till by q permanent residence you be-
come proof against its attacks. Mr..
Goodwin wouldh to succumb sooner
or later.
Eyes Bob," said Gertrude, suddenly
laying down the fan with which she was
playing. 1--WE will go to the Red Pike
tomorrow"
And Bob, who thought 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 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.
II there was one thing which Ger.
trude admired il was cour.
age; was shebeglnning, almost moret than
beginning, to like man who could be
called coward even by boy? It made
her cheeks tingle 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 Lostord was hard
ly one to please romantic girl ct first
sight. Cold, sensible and wanting in
enthusiasm even In his ambition trying
nearly everything by the arguments Of
reason with impartial severity, he would
have made a just and not too merciful
Judge. Living by rule Of thumb, no
wonder that he looked older than his
thirty years, or that he repelled chance
acquaintances who called him a prig.
Generally reticent, he would sometimes
tell the truth with rude abruptness.
Altogether, his friends said, little
wanting in charity; too practical, too
matter -of-fact. And yet, poor Ger
trudei when she met him at dinner, the
hauteur she assumed melted away and
she blusbed and smiled at his glance;
for what is so facinating as the homage
of one who seems utterly, almost con-
temptuously, careless Of all beside? II
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 that but
tressed its rugged top FURNISHED to rud-
dinesss, and yet the party fingered, re-
luctant to abandon the view Of the sea
and land from Forth to Windermere
that held them entranced. Tea was
over and the servants had started down
wards with the baggage, yet tho party,
which all day had wanderd separately
or in pairs at their several wills, still
sat together on the top. Bob only was
on tho move, skirmishing hither and
tither untiringly.
~ say, Gertrude, here's speciman
for you! Here's blue gentian growing
on this cliff and y rare good climb it will
be to it,"
The party hastened 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 opening in the wall of the cliff
made it Just feasible, if somewhat dan
gerous to reach It.
Robert, don't 60 too near!" cried
Mrs. Goodwin.
Gertrude turned with her face lit
tie flushed to Losford. Can you get il
for me, Mr. Losford? ?" she said gently,
and with something Of appeal in hel
voice.
''Not without rope," he answered
camly; I'VE will bring one up to-mor.
row."
"To.morrow!" cried Gertrude, will
sudden heat. II want it now. Boil
would get il for me in . moment, If
4 asked him, Mr.. Losford."
"Bobs head is perhaps steadier thar
mine. answered the other, keeping q
> safe distance ttom the edge. He We,