Copyright, 1897,
BY W. A. Wilde & Company.
All rights reserved.
A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE.
CONTENTS.
| CHAPTER | PAGE | |
| I. | Mrs. Wentworth Ward visits Glen Arden | [9] |
| II. | The Starrs hold a Family Council | [26] |
| III. | A Declaration of Independence | [44] |
| IV. | Katherine as a Financier | [61] |
| V. | Peter seeks Information | [81] |
| VI. | Peter’s New Acquaintances | [99] |
| VII. | Victoria goes in Search of Funds | [117] |
| VIII. | Unexpected Generosity | [134] |
| IX. | Sophy has an Adventure | [153] |
| X. | The New Neighbors on the Hill | [171] |
| XI. | Victoria decides to keep it Secret | [188] |
| XII. | Roger Madison tells a Story | [206] |
| XIII. | Peter meets with a Serious Accident | [224] |
| XIV. | Sophy waylays Roger Madison | [242] |
| XV. | Victoria meets with Difficulties | [261] |
| XVI. | Midnight Marauders | [281] |
| XVII. | On the River | [301] |
| XVIII. | Mrs. Wentworth Ward changes her Opinion | [320] |
ILLUSTRATIONS
| PAGE | |
| “‘I always keep my engagements’” | F’piece |
| “The girls and Peter could see Katherine, who sat in the hall below” | [79] |
| “‘It is a gem’” | [136] |
| “There, beneath one of the old trees, she found a rustic bench” | [188] |
| “She found her eldest sister sitting on a rustic bench, under the trees, with her work in her hands” | [269] |
CHAPTER I.
MRS. WENTWORTH WARD VISITS GLEN ARDEN.
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.