Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-01-28
A TALE OF THE RED Pike.

II thought l should find you with the
girls, Mr.. Goodwin. You should have been
with us. We've had such scramble over
the Honister Crag, and brought back no end
of flowers for Gertrude. But one thing L
must say, that fellow Losford is jolly
muff, though he doesn't look it. Just q
funk, girls, and nothing else. Will you give
me some tea, Mrs. Godwin?"
"What nonsense you talk, Bobl" cried his
sister, conscious by some feminine instinct
that her friends face was hotter than mo-
ment before; ."you are perfect mduUdis en-
fdnt bursting IN like that. wish Mr.. Los
ford would teach you manners"
"Id like to see him try. 1t would take n
pluckier man than he is. Why, he wouldn't
come within yards of the edge, Mrs. God
win!"
"He showed his usual good sense, Master
Robert" was that ladys tart reply. She
had her reasons for looking favorably upon
Walter Losford, of Losford Court, Mon
mouthshire, by no means least hon
ored guest at Mr.. Godwin's lake villa.
And they were very CHEEKY and pleas
ant party, the pleasantest set, Gertrude
thought, that her mother had ever got to-
gether, and Gertrude was young lady Of
decided tastes and somewhat difficult to
please. Even Bob Marston, when he was
not talking nonsense and appearing where
he was not wanted at inopportune moments,
was as amusing as any other Eton boy.
Nevertheless, ut this moment two people at
least were ardently longing to make his sears
tingle.
"And what is the programme for o-mor-
row. Mr. Godwin?" resumed the Young gen.
tleman, not whit daunted by the upfayor-
able reception of his last remark. "Cap
we picnic on the Red Pike? 1t would be
Jolly fun"
The host hummed and hawed; he rather
preferred an open-air entertainment at a
place accessible in an open carriage. But
if YOU have house among the mountains,
up them You must go. The climbing dis
ease is infections, and there is no evading il
until by permanent residence you become
proof against its attacks. Mr.. Goodwin would
have 10 succumb sooner or later.
"Yes, Bob" said Gertrude, suddenly lay
ing down the fan with which she was play
ing, "we will go TO the Red Pike to-mor-
row."
And Bob, who thought he had rather put
his foot in il, as he would say, was com
forted, for he 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 hel
daughters ears until her lip began to cur
with scorn. If there was one thing which
Gertrude admired it was courage. Was she
| beginning to like man who could be called
a coward even by boyp And the insinua-
1 ton chimed in with other things. Walter
| Losford was hardly one to please a romantic
| girl at first sight. Cold, sensible, and want
| ing in enthusiasm even in his ambition, try.
| ing nearly everything by the arguments o1
| reason. he would have made Just and no
| too merciful Judge. And yet when Gertrud,
/ met him at dinner the hauteur she assumed
| melted away, and she blushed and smiled a
! his glance; for what is so fascinating as tn,
| homage of one who seems utterly careless o
all besides?
The Red Pike was red indeed in the even
| ing sunlight, every cliff that buttressed it
rugged top FURNISHED to ruddiness, and We
| the psEty fingered, reluctant to abandon tn
view OF the sea and land from Forth t,
| Windernere that held them entrnnced.. l
was Bob only who vas on the move, skir
wishing about untiringiy,
II say, Gertrude, here's q specimen TO
fits Q b,cs gentian growing, on thi
sGT. ssiifr and rare Sooa climb II VIII De 10 ge
IT, Tho 9ayty bastened 10 the edge OF tn tn
cliff In q ca l''anDy OF the ROCK abo1' ."elN
feet down grew the flower Gertrude ~ :
been loneii g TO finf silght ypenlnB =
the wall of ,de cliff l.Nade IT lust Ieesiois'
somewhat tla uge rous, to- sreaeb IT,
"Robert, d,nt go too near e'ieu 'it >
Goodwin. ,;..,
Gerture turned, with her fsce Ht'i
flushed, to Losford. .so
"Can you get 1T for me Mr. Aos'"iu'
she said, gently.
qNot without rope" he an swersh
calmly. ave will br.ing one tomorrow" !,
@To- morrow" cried Gertrude, with sud
den heat. II want it now. Bob woui'
get it for me in moment, If asked him
Mr.. Losford."
"Bob's head is steadier than mine, per
haps, F" the other said. -,
He was in no way disconposed unul, "a
he finished, his eyes met the girls fuil o
contempt and anger, Stung by the look h
made hasty step tow.ard the edge OF tn
cliff and bent down TO lualke the attempt
For moment he remained in that position
then, with quick shudder, he recoiled
white to the lips.
Il can't get Il for you," he said, hoarsely
falling back, while the others looked at on
another in astonishment.
'And quite right, too, Mr.. Ilosford; don
try it, Beg" cried Mrs. Goodwin, loudiy
Loudly, but not so that he failed to hear TIA
word Coward" or to distinguish the tom
of contempt in which it fell from he
daughters lips. The next instant he VA
his old calm self again, but he knew that b
had his dismissal.
As for the bit of blue gentian, Bol
brought it mp in twinkling, and chattere'
on in such way as TO earn every ones graft
tude Yet II was dull party that wende'
its way down the hill, the little blue gential
nesting in Gertrude's fair hair, much to he
mothers disgust.
II il was only an awkward hou at Dime
that Mrs. Goodwin feared, fate was to sav