The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-03-06
A TALE OF THE RED PIKE.

Il GnOugnJ SnOulu Hnu you Will IuS
girls, Mr.. Goodwin. You should have
been with us. We've had such q
scramble over Honister Crag, and
brought hack no end of flowers for
Gertrude. But one thing [ must say
that fellow Losford is a Jolly muf,
though he doesn't look it. Just a funk,
girls, and nothing else. Will you give
me some tea, Mrs. Goodwin ?"
"What nonsense You talk, Bob"
cried his sister, conscious by some fem
mime instinct that her friends face was
hotter than a moment before. You
are a perfect mauvais enfant bursting
in like that. I wish Mr.. Losford would
teach you manners"
I'D like to see him try. It would
take u pluckier man than he is. Why,
he wouldn't come within a yard of the
edge, Mrs. Godwin?"
He showed his usual good sense,
Master Robert" was the lady's
tart reply. She had her reasons
for looking favorably upon Walter
Losford, of LOsford Court, Mon
mouthshire, by no means the least hon
ored guest at Mr.. Godwtn's lake villa.
And they were a very CHEEKY and pleas
ant party the pleasantest set, Ger
trude thought, that her mother had
ever got together, and Gertrude was n
young lady Of decided tastes and some
what difficult to please. Even Bob
Marston, when he was not saying mala-
propos things, and appearing where he
was not wanted at inopportune mo-
ments, was as amusing as any other
Elton boy. Nevertheless, at this mo
ment two people at least were ardently
longing to make his ear Jingle.
"And what is the programme for to-
morrow, Mr.. Goodwin" resumed the
young gentleman, not a whit daunted
by the ~unfavorvble reception of his last
remark. Can we picnic at he Red
Pike? 1t would be jolly fun"
The host hummed and hal ed; he
rather preferred an open-air entertain
ment at a place accessible In an open
carriage. But If You have a home
must go. The climbing disease is in
fictitious, and there is no evadIng it I'M
al by q permanent residence you be-
come proof against its attacks. Mr..
Goodwin would have to succumb sooner
or later.
yes, Bob, - said Gertrude, suddenly
1ayiag down the fan with which she
was playing, I'VE will 60 to Red Pike
TO-morrow."
And Bob, who thought that, in his
OUR language, he bad rather "put his
foot IN IT," was comforted. and knew
that to the Red Pike he would go.
Gertrudeis 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
hips began to curl with scorn. II there
Was one thing which Gertrude admired
1t was courage; was she beginning,
almost more than beginning. to like a
man who could be calleda coward even
by a boy? 1t made her cheeks Jingle
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 insinuatien chimed In with other
things. Walter Losford was hardly
one to please a romantic girl at first
sight. Cold, sensible and wanting in
enthusiasm even IN his ambition, try
ing 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
plumb, no wonder that he looked older
than his thirty years. or that he repel-
led chance acquaintance, who called
him a prig. Generally reticent, he
would sometimes tell the truth with
rude abruptness. Altogether his friends
said, a little wanting In charity; too
practical, too matter of-fact. And yet,
poor Gertrudei svhen she met him ut
dinner. the hauteur she assumed melt
ed away, and she blushed aud smiled at
mis- glance; for what is so fascinating as
the homage of one who seems utterly,
almost contemptuously. careless Of all
beslde2 If Walter had spoken that
evening he would have assuredly gained
his object, and Mrs. Goodwin been
msde q happy m
The Red pike was red indeed ;a the
evening sunlight, every cliff that but
tressed its rugged top Furnished ta rud-
diness, and yet the party fingered, re-
luctant to abandon the view of sea and
land from Forth to Windarmere that
held them entranced. Tea was over
and the servants had started downward
with the baggage, yet the party, which