The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-01-02
A TALE OF THE RED PIKE.

been with us. We've had such a
scramble over Honister Crag, and
brought back no end Of flowers for
Gertrude. But one thing I must say
that fellow Losford is . jolly muff,
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, Bobl"
cried his sister, conscious by some fem
mime instinct that her friends face was
hotter than q moment before. "You
are q perfect mauvais enfant bursting
in like that. I wish Mr.. Losford would
teach you manners"
It'd like to see him try. 1t would
take . pluckier man than he is. Why,
he wouldn't come within . 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 fayorably upon Walter
Losford, of Losford Court, Mon
~mouthshire, by no means the least hon
ored guest at Mr.. Godwin's lake villa.
And they We're a very CHEEKY and pleas
ant party-the ~pleasantest set, Ger
trude thought, that her mother had
ever got together, and Gertrude was q
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 ears Jingle.
And what is the programme for to-
morrow, Mr.. Goodwin" resumed the
young gentleman, not = whit daunted
by the u~nfavorvble reception OF his last
remark. Can we picnic at the Red
Pike? It would be jolly fun"
The host hummed and hawed; he
rather preferred an open-air entertain
ment at a place accessible in an open
carriage. But if you have q home
among the mountains, up them you
must go. The climbing disease is in
fictitious, and there is no evadlng it I'M
til by a permanent residence you be-
come proof against its attacks. Mr..
Goodwin would have to succumb sooner
or later.
eyes, Bob" said Gertrude, suddenly
laying down the fan with which she
was playing, I'VE will go to Red Pike
tomorrow"
And Bob, who thought that, in his
own language. he bad 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
lips began to curl with scorn. Ii there
was one thing which Gertrude admired
it was courage; was she beginning,
almost more than beginning. to. like a
man who could be calleda coward even
by a boy? It made her checks 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 insinuation chimed in with other
things. Walter Losford was hardly
one to please a romantic girl at first
sight. Cold, sensible and wanting in
enthusiasm ever in his ambition, try
ing nearly everything by the arguments
Of reason with impartial severity, he
would have made O 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, q little wanting in charity; too
practical, too matter-of-fact. And yet,
poor Gertrude! when she met him ut
dinner. the hauteur she assumed melt
ed away, and she blushed and smiled at
his glance; for what is so fascinating rs
the homage of one who seems utterly,
almost contemptuously, careless of all
beside? If Walter had spoken that
evening he would have assuredly gained
his object, and Mrs. Goodwin been
made a happy woman.
The Red pike was red indeed in the
evening sunlight, every cliff that but
lressed its rugged top FURNISHED to rud-
diness, and yet the party fingered, re-
luctant to abandon the view of sea and
land from Forth to Windermere that
held them entranced. Tea was over
Ind the servants had started downward
with the baggage, yet the party, which
Ill day had wandered separately or in
pairs at their several wills, still sat to-
yether on the top. Bob was on the
move, skirmishing hither and thither
antiringly.
II say, Gertrude, here's a specimen
sor you? Here's q blue gentian grow
ing on this cliff, and a rare good climb
t will be to IT,"
The party fastened to the edge of the
.liff; IN 9 Granny of the rock about
swelve 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 go too near!" cried
Mrs. Goodwin.
Gertrude turned with her face a little
flushed to Losford. "Can you get it for
ne, Mr.. Losford ?" she said gently, and
With something of appeal in her voice.
Not without q rope" he answered
calmly; I'VE will bring mi up to-mor-
,ow."
"To-morrow!" cried Gertrude, with
tudden heat, II want it now. Bob
would get it for me in q moment if ]
lsked him, Mr.. Losford."
"Bob's head is perhaps, steadier than
nine" answered the other, keeping at
! safe distance from the edge. He was
N no way discomposed until, as he fin
shed, his eyes met the girls, full of