A successful venture

This etext was transcribed by Les Bowler
BY ELLEN DOUGLAS DELAND AUTHOR OF “MALVERN,” “OAKLEIGH,” ETC.
“Jog on, jog on the footpath way, And merrily hent the stile-a. A merry heart goes all the day, Your sad tires in a mile-a.” SHAKESPEARE
ILLUSTRATED BY ALICE BARBER STEPHENS
BOSTON
W. A. WILDE & COMPANY
25 Bromfield Street
Copyright, 1897, BY W. A. Wilde & Company. All rights reserved .
A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE.
It was raining heavily, and a strong wind from the northeast blew the drops with relentless force against the dining-room windows. The few leaves that remained upon the trees were fast dropping, falling in sodden unloveliness upon the drenched lawn. It was a day for all those who could do so to remain within doors.
The four girls were in the dining-room. It was the most cheerful place in which to sit on a rainy day, and the fire that burned on the hearth lighted up the room, and gave it an aspect of cosiness that was very pleasant.
Honor Starr, the eldest of the family, was lying upon the sofa, which had been drawn forward from its usual corner and placed within reach of the warmth. She had a book in her hand, although she was not reading at the moment. She also held a bottle of camphor, which she applied frequently to her nose.