c 
 
 FUEO M. DKWlTT 
 

A Business Venture in Los Angeles 
 or 
 
 A Christian Optimist 
 
J 
 
 A Business Venture 
 In Los Angeles 
 
 or 
 
 A Christian Optimist 
 
 BY 
 
 Illustrated . by 
 PHILIP HUBERT FROHMAN 
 
 CINCINNATI 
 THE ROBERT CLARKE COMPANY 
 
 1899 
 
COPYRIGHT, 1899, 
 
 BY 
 
 THE ROBERT CLARKE COMPANY. 
 

 A Business Venture in Los Angeles? 
 
 OR, 
 
 A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " I really can not see what we are to do," remarked 
 Gladys Grayston, as she helped her sister to clear 
 away the few dishes they had used for their luncheon. 
 ' ' I have not the slightest idea of what is to become 
 of us." 
 
 She spoke in her usual calm, dignified manner, as 
 though she might have been commenting upon the 
 state of the weather. 
 
 " Neither have I," assented Edna, in a doleful tone, 
 contrasting strangely with her rosy, smiling counte- 
 nance. 
 
 Then, their work ended, both seated themselves 
 Gladys with an unopened book in hand, Edna near 
 the window, out of which she glanced idly from time 
 to time. 
 
 The sisters were living in a room on the first floor 
 of a modest-looking two-story house in the city of 
 IvOS Angeles. Upon a small plot directly in front of 
 their window, partially hiding the street from view, 
 was a palm tree, while opposite it, upon a similar grass 
 plot, stood an evergreen whose spreading branches 
 
2 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 nearly reached the ground. About a dozen Calla 
 lilies reared their snowy heads in a narrow bed, where 
 a few other plants were struggling against the com- 
 bined influences of too much shade and too little 
 water. The day was an ideal one in early November. 
 
 ' 'If only," continued Gladys, musingly, "we had 
 been brought up to do any one thing thoroughly in 
 fact, if we had had the progressive style of training 
 of the present day ! I used to think how lovely it was 
 for a woman to have an all-around sort of education ; 
 to combine in one to a moderate degree, of course 
 author, artist, musician, linguist, etc., together with 
 all the grace and elegance necessary to adorn the 
 whole. But now 
 
 "Behold the finished result!" Edna laughingly 
 interrupted, as she pointed to her sister. 
 
 ' ' Yes, ' ' Gladys coolly replied ; ' ' Kudora and I are 
 pretty fair specimens of that style of training as far 
 as it went ! You were not old enough to progress 
 very ' ' 
 
 "And never would, if I lived to the age of Methu- 
 saleh," again interrupted Kdna. 
 
 "You are probably right, Ducksie ; I really think 
 you never would. But, behold the result, as you say. 
 We are absolutely useless, as far as anything practical 
 is concerned. Matters might have been different if 
 our dear mother had lived to direct our education ; but 
 Mademoiselle was hardly capable of developing the 
 qualities necessary for battling against the storms of 
 life. We are admirably adapted for basking in the 
 sunshine ; the trouble is, the sun is not always shin- 
 ing, as we have been rapidly finding out of late. Of 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 3 
 
 course if if everything had gone on smoothly, we 
 should have had no necessity for struggling. As 
 matters are, a more practical training would find us in 
 an entirely different position. ' ' 
 
 Tears filled Edna's eyes. 
 
 "O, Gladys, it sounds as if you were blaming dear 
 father, and I am sure he did his very best for us. It 
 was not his fault that we are left with only a few 
 hundreds of dollars instead of some hundreds of thou- 
 sands, as would have been the case if he had not died 
 so suddenly" sobs choked her voice. 
 
 "Of course it was not his fault," replied Gladys, in 
 the cold tone peculiar to her when annoyed. "No one 
 dreams of accusing him of such a thing, Edna. I do 
 beg of you occasionally to rein in that lively imagina- 
 tion of yours. He had us educated in precisely the 
 manner in which his own sister was educated; and he 
 always considered her a model of all that was ad- 
 mirable in woman. ' ' 
 
 "Well, Aunt Julia is lovely," returned Edna, who 
 had already recovered her composure. ' ' Just as sweet 
 and charming as can be. " 
 
 "Certainly, Edna. No one disputes that fact. But 
 if, for example, she were suddenly placed in the posi- 
 tion we are in, she is not one particle better fitted to 
 make her way through life than we are. By the bye, 
 I wonder whether our letters ever reached them, 
 traveling about, as they do, in such outlandish places. 
 Even allowing for delay, we surely ought to have re- 
 ceived an answer by this time. Poor Eudora! What 
 a shock to her! I am glad her year of foreign travel 
 was nearly over before this sorrow came. ' ' 
 
4 A BUSINESS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 "I wonder," remarked Edna, hesitatingly, "whether 
 she will not return to us when she hears" she 
 paused. 
 
 "No, indeed," said Gladys, more hastily than was 
 her wont in speaking. "I hope not though of course 
 it would be pleasant to have her. She is happy with 
 Aunt Julia, who will be only too glad to keep her alto- 
 gether. Their temperaments do not clash, as hers and 
 ours were apt to do at times, though doubtless there 
 was fault on both sides. At any rate, we shall have 
 the comfort of knowing that at least one of us is pro- 
 vided for." 
 
 At this moment a cab stopped in front of the door. 
 Edna hastily shifted her position to an unseen one be- 
 hind the curtain. 
 
 "There's a lady getting out," she announced. "A 
 visitor, I suppose, to Mrs. Smith. Why, Gladys, she 
 looks like it can't be I really believe, though yes, 
 it is why Gladys, it 's Eudora herself! " 
 
 And the two girls ran into the hall, where the maid 
 was already opening the door to admit a young lady. 
 "Eudora!" "You dear girls!" And as they drew 
 their sister into their room and closed the door, they 
 forgot incompatibility of disposition and everything 
 else disagreeable, as they realized that one of their 
 very own was again beside them, and not only so, but 
 that she had, presumably of her own accord, left a 
 home of luxury to share their life of privation and 
 toil. For a moment there was silence, while tears 
 flowed from all eyes. Each remembered that the last 
 time they were together, the dear father was among 
 them, and had been the very merriest of the little 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 5 
 
 party who had waved a gopd-bye to Eudora as the 
 steamer slowly left her moorings. But speedily the 
 tears were dried, and questions and answers succeeded 
 each other with marvelous rapidity. Eudora ex- 
 plained that the letters containing the sad news had 
 not reached them until quite lately that Aunt Julia 
 had at once decided to come over with her, but that 
 Uncle Bertram had met with an accident, not serious, 
 but which, combined with some business troubles, had 
 made her unwilling to leave him. 
 
 "Where did our letters reach you?" inquired 
 Gladys. 
 
 "In Vienna. We had been staying for three weeks 
 at a remote village in Switzerland, and, though Uncle 
 Bertram had left orders for our letters to be forwarded, 
 there was some misunderstanding, so that when we re- 
 turned to Vienna, a whole budget was awaiting us." 
 
 "What a shock it must have been," said Edna, "to 
 have all the bad news meet you at once. ' ' 
 
 "It was, indeed," replied Eudora, quietly, and it 
 seemed to Gladys and Edna that there was almost in- 
 difference in her tone. "But now, girls, tell me ex- 
 actly how you are situated. How long have you been 
 in this house ? I went to your former address, and 
 they directed me here. ' ' 
 
 "We came here two weeks ago," replied Gladys. 
 "Of course we could not stay at an expensive hotel; 
 this is nearly the opposite extreme. You know we 
 left New York two months ago, just after that serious 
 illness of father's, and we were looking about for a 
 suitable house in which to settle for the winter, 
 when ' ' 
 
6 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 "Yes, I know," interrupted Kudora. "You poor, 
 dear girls! All alone in a strange place, and sudden 
 poverty added to your other troubles! When I read 
 your letters, I just felt as if I must fly to you though 
 you did not seem to expect that I would come. ' ' This 
 was said inquiringly. 
 
 "No," said Gladys, in some confusion, as she and 
 Kdna glanced at each other, "we thought as you were 
 so comfortable with Aunt Julia, there was no use in 
 making three unhappy instead of two, and " 
 
 "And you also felt," interrupted Kudora, smilingly, 
 "that I would not be much of a comfort in fact, 
 quite the contrary. Now, honestly, girls, didn't you? 
 Never mind answering I don't blame you at all. But 
 I mean you to find out how mistaken you were, and to 
 acknowledge before long that three heads are a great 
 deal better than two. ' ' 
 
 They were already feeling it. Certainly this Kudora 
 was very different from the proud, fault-finding girl of 
 two years ago. It was not so much that her counte- 
 nance was changed was brighter, gentler, calmer 
 than of yore but there was a something that could 
 be felt; something which made her sisters feel in- 
 stinctively that a comforter had indeed come to them; 
 that they were the stronger, the happier for her com- 
 ing. So it was with entire truth that Gladys answered 
 for both: 
 
 "We are delighted to have you with us again, dear 
 Kudora!" 
 
 "Now, before we enter into any discussion as to 
 future ways and means," said Kudora, "tell me how 
 you are situated at present. Is this your only room ?' ' 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 7 
 
 "Yes," replied Gladys," and I was just considering 
 where we should put you to sleep. O, I know. Mrs. 
 Smith has a cot-bed, and I dare say she will lend it to 
 us for the present. Edna, suppose you go and see 
 about it?" 
 
 And shortly Edna returned, reporting a favorable 
 answer. 
 
 "So that is settled," said Eudora. "Now, girls, 
 another important question comes up. When do you 
 have dinner ? For I am really hungry, as it must be 
 about six hours since I have had anything to eat." 
 
 "I will get you some luncheon directly," said 
 Gladys. "But you must put up with rather awkward 
 accommodations, Eudora. We get our meals ourselves 
 here in our room on that little oil-stove, which serves 
 as heater also. Now here" going to a corner cup- 
 board in front of which a curtain was hung "here 
 are bread and butter, cold tongue, and jelly. That 
 will take the edge off your appetite, and towards even- 
 ing we shall get something for dinner from the restau- 
 rant, of which there are any number in this place." 
 
 And Gladys and Edna looked somewhat anxiously 
 at their sister, to note the effect of these words, but 
 Eudora did not seem shocked, nor even surprised. 
 
 "That is nothing new to me," she said, lightly, 
 "there are so many such places abroad in the towns 
 where students congregate. They usually hire rooms 
 and buy provisions ready cooked to take home with 
 them. A number of them had rooms close to our hotel, 
 and Aunt Julia someway became acquinted with them, 
 and invited them often over of evenings to our sitting- 
 
8 
 
 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 room, where she had refreshments for them and 
 they did so enjoy it, as I am now about to do." 
 
 So saying, she seated herself at the small table, and 
 while she is engaged in the discussion of what lay 
 thereon, let us take a glance at the outward appear- 
 ance of the three girls. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Gladys was twenty-six years old. She was tall, 
 with dark eyes and hair, a clear pale complexion, 
 good features, and with a general air of refinement 
 and grace which justified strangers in pronouncing 
 her a most interesting-looking girl. Kudora was 
 twenty-three, also tall and slender, with fair com- 
 plexion, brown hair and gray eyes ; as refined in 
 appearance as her sister, with more actual claim to 
 beauty, though hardly what is usually termed a 
 ' 'beauty." Edna was eighteen, short, stout, rosy, 
 with blue eyes and golden hair ; so much the opposite 
 of her sisters that strangers were surprised to hear of 
 the relationship. "If I only had any style like you 
 or Eudora," she would sometimes ruefully exclaim, 
 "it would be something of a compensation for my 
 dumpiness, greenish blue eyes and no complexion to 
 speak of." "But you have a clear, healthy color," 
 Gladys would sometimes say. ' 'And what about your 
 lovely hair ? " ' 'O, that is rather an aggravation. It' s 
 really provoking, when people who have only seen my 
 back try to get a look at my face, and then seem disap- 
 pointed at the discordance between the two." "Non- 
 sense, Edna," Gladys would say laughingly." "What 
 an imagination you have !" But there was a good deal 
 of truth in it, after all. Their characters will develop 
 as the story progresses. 
 
 "Where are your trunks, Eudora? " asked Edna as 
 she cleared away the remains of her sister's repast. 
 
10 A BUSINKSS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 "They will be here presently, I presume. But, 
 girls, what exquisite flowers in those beautiful grounds 
 opposite us ! Why, there are white roses actually 
 climbing clear to the peak of that Gothic roof ! And 
 what a variety of other kinds of roses all about ! And 
 what are those tall bushes of red flowers over there?" 
 
 "Some are fuchsias," replied Gladys, "and some 
 geraniums. They grow to nearly trees here. Yes, 
 they are very beautiful, though we can hardly see 
 them for this mass of shade just in front of our 
 windows. But perhaps it is just as well, for they do 
 make this poor little yard look so mean by contrast. ' ' 
 
 "I should not have thought of the matter in that 
 way at all," said Eudora. "They are only a part of 
 our Father's great garden, and we have as much 
 right to enjoy looking at them as those who call 
 them their very own. But now I shall take this 
 comfortable rocking-chair, as I am supposed to be 
 tired, and I will tell you about my journey, and about 
 Aunt Julia, and everything you want to know ; and 
 then you shall tell me all I want to know. ' ' 
 
 For two hours or more a lively conversation ensued 
 sometimes gay, oftener serious, sometimes even tear- 
 ful. Finally a long pause ; then Kudora broke the 
 silence. "And now, girls, the question comes up, 
 What are we going to do for our future support? 
 One thousand dollars in bank, about sixty you say 
 you have on hand, and one hundred which Uncle 
 Bertram gave me when I was leaving, are not going 
 to carry us very far, and the sooner we do something 
 to save our drawing further on our little stock the 
 better." 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. II 
 
 "Of course," said Gladys, ''that is just what we 
 were speaking about when you arrived. Our Boston 
 cousins have invited us to spend a year with them, 
 and we have had several offers from old friends in 
 New York to make them visits of indefinite length, 
 but Edna and I decided that we did not wish to accept 
 any of these offers ; perhaps you feel differently." 
 
 "No, indeed," replied Eudora, "I think you are 
 quite right. Since sooner or later we must make our 
 own living, the quicker we begin the better. It is 
 easier, too, to launch out independently in a strange 
 place than where we would be hampered by former 
 circumstances and by the conflicting views of friends. 
 Have you thought of anything special, Gladys?" 
 
 "O, of course I thought of teaching, as the most re- 
 spectable thing for girls in our position. But the fact 
 is, Eudora, I don't know how. Mademoiselle was very 
 good in certain ways, and gave us an admirable kind 
 of finish so said our friends. But this is a practical 
 age, and people have to understand things thoroughly 
 or keep in the background. Arithmetic, for example. 
 I never liked it, nor you either, Eudora, and you re- 
 member how easily Mademoiselle let us off when we 
 pleaded a headache; in fact, I used to detect a gleam 
 of satisfaction in her eyes on such occasions, and I am 
 convinced now that she did not know much about it 
 herself." 
 
 "Yes," added Edna, "Once I asked her to explain 
 a problem, and she made some excuse to go up- 
 stairs. I had to go to her room a few minutes after to 
 give her a message, and there was a Key to Arithme- 
 
12 A BUSINESS VKNTURB; OR, 
 
 tic lying open on her bed. She had forgotten to hide 
 it." 
 
 All laughed, and then Kudora said, "But she was 
 very good in most things, and of course she had no 
 idea that we should ever have occasion to put our 
 learning to practical account. However, we may as 
 well admit that as teachers we should be failures. 
 What then?" 
 
 "I have no idea," said Gladys. "But just think, 
 Eudora! Mr. Crescent, father's old friend, who spends 
 his winters in L,os Angeles at least he has lately 
 came the other day to propose that we should open a 
 little book-store! He said there was a stock for sale 
 at a very low price, and that it was a chance in a hun- 
 dred. Just think, Eudora! The idea of us keeping 
 store!" 
 
 "Why not?" asked her sister, quietly. "I knew 
 there must be something waiting for us somewhere, and 
 probably this is the very thing. ' ' 
 
 "Eudora!" burst forth simultaneously from Gladys 
 and Edna, the latter adding: "You surely don't mean 
 it!" 
 
 ' 'Why not, girls ? Since we must make our living, 
 and can't teach, and nothing else offers itself, I don't 
 see why keeping store would not do as well as other 
 things. In this age, women can do almost anything 
 respectable and hot lose caste, unless with those whose 
 good opinion is not worth having. Besides, girls, I have 
 been learning of late that when one is in need of some- 
 thing, and watching for that something to turn up, it 
 is wise to accept, or at least to consider carefully, the. 
 first thing that presents itself, whether it be precisely 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 13 
 
 to one's taste or not. But tell me more about this 
 business, Gladys." 
 
 "I can't, indeed. I did not ask for particulars, as 
 I had not the remotest idea of considering the matter 
 seriously. However, if you care to know the details, 
 Mr. Crescent is to be here this evening. He has 
 kindly taken charge of our business affairs since 
 father died I might say of us, too. He is an elderly 
 widower, with a married daughter living in New 
 York; a most agreeable, kind-hearted man; indeed, I 
 do not know what we should have done without him." 
 
 "Somebody else would have come to the rescue," 
 said Eudora, smilingly. 
 
 "Now, Eudora," said Edna, decidedly, "I just want 
 you to tell us what is the matter. You are the most 
 changed girl I ever saw. Here we were expecting 
 you to grumble at everything, to be shocked at this, 
 that and the other, and and 
 
 "And in fact, to make myself a general nuisance, 
 isn't that what you mean, Edna? Well, girls, I will 
 tell you all about it in a few words. About a year 
 ago, we went to board for several weeks in a family 
 of practical Christian people. There, by degrees, 
 everything changed for me. Like yourself, Gladys, I 
 had been a church member for several years, and I 
 considered myself as good as the average, to say the 
 least better, probably, than many. There I learned 
 that to be a Christian really, is to live the Christ 
 life to take His teachings literally, and to act them 
 out from day to day to believe that He dwells within 
 us through His spirit as He promised, and that this 
 indwelling makes all things possible for us, and to 
 
14 A BUSINESS VENTURE J OR, 
 
 know that all things are working for our good. Not 
 to look back remorsefully on the past, or forebodingly 
 011 the future, but to do the best we can this very day, 
 this very minute, trusting the Father for everything 
 health, strength, wisdom, love, peace, joy, prosperity 
 everything good, and giving Him thanks always, for 
 all things, in the name of our L,ord and Savior Jesus 
 Christ. And O, girls, what a happy, care- free life it 
 is! But I am only learning it, you know, and we 
 shall learn it together, and be happier than we ever 
 were in all our lives before!" 
 
 Gladys and Edna were silent ; then the conversation 
 drifted into other channels. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 15 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Mr. Crescent called in the evening, according to 
 agreement. Somewhat to Eudora's surprise, he was 
 not an old-looking man, as she had surmised would be 
 the case, from Gladys' description. He was gray-haired 
 and somewhat elderly, to be sure, but not more so 
 than her own father had been, and no one thought of 
 calling him old. He proved himself a most interesting 
 talker, and quite as delightful as the girls had repre- 
 sented. Soon all the details of the book-store plan 
 were laid before Kudora. Mr. Crescent explained 
 that the former owner had lately died, and that his 
 young widow, wishing to return to her parents in the 
 East, had decided to sell the stock at about one-half 
 its value. The -lease of the store had just expired, 
 and could not be renewed on the same easy terms. It 
 was best so, Mr. Crescent said, as the building was in 
 the business part of the city, and would therefore not 
 be so agreeable for young ladies. But he had noticed 
 within a couple of blocks from their present residence, 
 a small store for rent, which he thought might be just 
 the thing. It was the only store in the immediate 
 neighborhood and though, as a usual thing, that was 
 not an advantage, it might be different in the present 
 case. 
 
 "You see," he continued, "the stock consists largely 
 of second-hand school-books. As the scholars in the 
 public schools change grades, they need different 
 books, and are often unable or unwilling to buy new 
 
1 6 A BUSINESS VENTURE J OR, 
 
 ones out and out. So they dispose of their old ones, 
 allowing the money to go towards their new books, or 
 towards the second-hand ones which may happen to be 
 in stock." 
 
 "O," exclaimed Gladys, "I thought there was great 
 danger of infection in handling books coming from the 
 public schools. There is so much scarlet fever and 
 other diseases among children, you know." 
 
 ' 'That is true, Miss Gladys ; but there is a method 
 of fumigation to which each book is subjected when 
 received. I inquired particularly into this matter, 
 and found that the process was a simple and speedy 
 one. If you should decide on closing with this offer, 
 I shall be happy to initiate you into the mystery, and 
 likewise render you whatever other assistance may be 
 needed." 
 
 ''You are very kind, indeed," said Kudora. "Then 
 suppose we go to-morrow morning, look at the store in 
 question, and come to a decision of one kind or other, 
 other. What do you think, girls?" 
 
 "I don't like it at all," said Gladys. "But as you 
 say something must be done, and I suppose it is better 
 to put our pride into pur pockets than to starve or beg. ' ' 
 
 "And," said Edna, "it seems so much pleasanter 
 since we have talked it over this way. I always 
 had a business head, you know, and I could keep the 
 books and manage the financial matters. I really 
 think it would be fun!" 
 
 Next morning, all three started out on an investi- 
 gating tour. The store was situated on the corner of 
 one of the best residence streets in the city. Next 
 door and all about it were handsome houses and 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 17 
 
 grounds ; it looked strange, indeed, to see this lit- 
 tle, shabby, one- story frame structure, put up in the 
 flimsy style peculiar to many California buildings, 
 in the midst of such stately associates. 
 
 "Isn't it a disgraceful looking affair?" said Gladys, 
 as they stood surveying the exterior before entering. 
 "A dab of green paint, a dab of blue and yellow and 
 purple wherever the brush happened to light. Why, 
 it's just awful!" 
 
 "O no," said Eudora, cheerfully, "half a day's work 
 by a painter will make it all right. We must look at it 
 as it may be, not as it is. Now for the inside." 
 
 The door opened upon a fairly good-sized room, with 
 canvas unplastered walls, and absolutely bare. 
 
 "Why, there is no counter, and no shelves," said 
 Edna. 
 
 "Where are we expected to keep the books?" 
 
 "Don't you remember Mr. Crescent saying," re- 
 plied Eudora, "that the fixtures go with the stock, 
 and that a carpenter could soon get everything ready ?" 
 
 "So he did, but I had forgotten. Do let us look at 
 the other rooms. O, girls! here's a cute little room! 
 and here's still another! and actually here's a kind of 
 a kitchen at the back, with yes, really, and truly, a 
 stove! Tiny, to be sure, and rusty as can be, but I 
 suppose there must be something that will make it 
 bright again. Won't it be fun?" 
 
 "Yes, indeed," said Eudora. "We can really go to 
 housekeeping here. ' ' 
 
 "Housekeeping!" exclaimed Gladys. "What has 
 come over you, Eudora ? Where are the dining-room 
 
1 8 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 and sitting-room, to say nothing of at least two bed- 
 rooms? Why, we never could manage in the world." 
 
 "I don't see why we couldn't," remarked Edna, 
 ' 'since we have been concentrating everything of late 
 into one room. ' ' 
 
 "Of course, that was temporary. I never expected 
 to put up with that for any length of time, and ' ' 
 
 "Good morning, young ladies," said a cheerful 
 voice, and Mr. Crescent walked in. "I expected to 
 find you here about this time, and came over to see 
 what is your opinion of this princely mansion. ' ' 
 
 "Eudora is ecstatic," said Gladys, dryly. "I sup- 
 pose that settles the matter. ' ' 
 
 "No, indeed, Gladys. It shall be just as you and 
 Edna say. I was only, Mr. Crescent, trying to look 
 at what might be, rather than what is. It's a way I 
 have been learning of late," Eudora added, laugh- 
 ingly. 
 
 "A very delightful way, I am sure, Miss Eudora," 
 said Mr. Crescent, gallantly. "I wish I could learn 
 it myself. But now, young ladies, I have just been 
 interviewing the young widow. She is extremely 
 anxious to get away before the first of the month, 
 and proposes to take off fifty dollars from her first 
 offer, in case the bargain is at once concluded, and the 
 cash paid down. It is, as I have told you, a very 
 great bargain; and if you should conclude upon ac- 
 cepting it, and should hereafter not make it a success, 
 I think you would have no difficulty in disposing of 
 the stock for at least as much as you gave for it 
 probably more. ' ' 
 
 "Well," said Gladys, "as I seem to be the only ob- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 19 
 
 stacle in the way, I hereby withdraw my objections, 
 and leave you all free to do as you think best. ' ' 
 
 A little more conversation, and the matter was de- 
 cided, Mr. Crescent being empowered to manage the 
 entire business. 
 
 "By the bye," he said, as they were about to sepa- 
 rate, "what do you intend doing with those two 
 rooms three rooms, I might say?" 
 
 "L,ive in them, Eudora and Edna say," replied 
 Gladys. 
 
 "O well, now," Mr. Crescent remonstrated, "I am 
 really afraid you could not be comfortable. They are 
 very small, you know, and well, I hardly think it 
 would answer. In my humble opinion, you would do 
 better to remain where you are for the present, at 
 least." 
 
 "Current is paid for the next three weeks," said 
 Gladys. "We can take that time to consider, and see 
 whether we are likely to make a success of the busi- 
 ness or not. ' ' 
 
 This was on Saturday. The following week was a 
 busy one. Their kind friend attended to all the finan- 
 cial and out-door arrangements and in a few days 
 the place wore a totally different aspect. A coat of 
 gray paint made a wonderful change in the outside, 
 while a carpenter, a woman for scrubbing, and the 
 girls' own ingenuity, soon transformed the interior. 
 Now that the matter was settled, Gladys threw her- 
 self into it as heartily as the others, and all worked 
 together in harmony. A week saw everything com- 
 pleted, and on Saturday the stock was moved in. 
 
 'This is the fun," said Edna, as case after case was 
 
20 A BUSINESS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 landed upon the floor, now covered with a neat oil- 
 cloth. 
 
 "Tell me to-night if it's fun," said Mr. Crescent, 
 smilingly opening a box. "Now, young ladies, you 
 shall decide upon which side you wish these new books 
 to go, and on which the second-hand ones." 
 
 "New books!" all exclaimed. "We did not know 
 there were any new ones!" 
 
 "O yes, indeed! Otherwise the bargain would 
 have been anything but a good one. Here are about 
 six hundred volumes, valued at from twenty-five cents 
 up to two or three dollars; they are on every variety 
 of subjects, from Mother Goose to Darwin." 
 
 "O, how lovely!" exclaimed Edna, and the others 
 agreed with her. "This is ever so much better than 
 we expected. ' ' 
 
 "I think," said Gladys, "that they ought to go on 
 those shelves behind the counter, as they will make 
 more of a show there. But what are these drawers 
 for under the counter?" 
 
 "For the stationery, and odds and ends of various 
 descriptions," replied Mr. Crescent. 
 
 "Why, that is something more," exclaimed Edna; 
 "We never thought of stationery, I am sure." 
 
 "I suppose," said Eudora, "all those second-hand 
 books will go on those three long shelves. Now, girls, 
 suppose we divide the work. Gladys will arrange the 
 new books, I the old ones, and you, Edna, can put 
 away the stationery and miscellaneous articles. ' ' 
 
 "Just the part I like," said Edna; and soon all the 
 cases were opened and each one busy at her appointed 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 21 
 
 work, Mr. Crescent constituting himself general ad- 
 viser and helper. 
 
 "What lots of note paper and envelopes," ex- 
 claimed Edna, as she dived into the contents of one 
 large packing case. "Some are in boxes, some not. 
 Here's a box of pocket-books of all sorts and sizes; 
 and here are a number of pictures several framed 
 and boxes and boxes of pens and pencils, and all sorts 
 of knicknacks. Why, it's perfectly lovely! And I 
 never thought of anything but a lot of musty old 
 books!" 
 
 "The glass case on the counter is for the purpose of 
 holding as many of those small articles as you choose 
 to put into it," said Mr. Crescent. "With your ar- 
 tistic tastes, you can make it very attractive. Now, 
 here are a number of magazines. The widow told me 
 that she took several every month. For some she had 
 regular subscribers I have their names; the remain- 
 der are sold, if possible. Those unsold are returned 
 to the publisher and a new supply sent. Of course, 
 the supply is limited as nearly as possible to the de- 
 mand. Several daily newspapers are also sent you; 
 those not disposed of are returned to the office. ' ' 
 
 "I should hardly suppose it would pay to sell news- 
 papers," said Kudora. 
 
 "In one way it does not, Miss Kudora; but often a 
 passer-by will drop in and buy a paper which he sees 
 displayed, and after awhile may become a regular 
 customer. The widow had a number of such on her 
 list. You will have fewer, on account of the situa- 
 tion; but it is best to neglect nothing which may 
 prove of ultimate advantage." 
 
22 A BUSINESS VKNTUR3; OR, 
 
 "You are becoming quite a businessman yourself, 
 Mr. Crescent," said Gladys, laughingly. 
 
 "Yes, indeed, Miss Gladys, and you can not imag- 
 ine what an interest it is to me. I had little to think 
 of in my hotel but myself and my ailments, and now 
 I am too busy to think of either, and am feeling like 
 a new man." 
 
 "You are kind enough to put it in that way," said 
 Gladys, in her pretty, graceful manner. "But, un- 
 questionably, the benefit is chiefly on our side. We 
 could never have managed without your assistance. ' ' 
 
 At this moment, a wagon stopped at the door, and 
 a man brought in a table and six chairs, which Mr. 
 Crescent directed him to carry into the room adjoining 
 the store. 
 
 "Now, young ladies," said their friend, when the 
 man had gone, "I knew this business would be likely 
 to occupy us for the entire day, and I did not propose 
 to fast all that time. So I took the liberty of order- 
 ing a luncheon to be sent here at noon, and the chairs 
 and table you will kindly allow to remain until I go 
 to housekeeping, which perhaps may be the case one 
 of these days. Yes, I am in earnest," as they all 
 laughed "my daughter is anxious to come to Cali- 
 fornia on account of her youngest son's health, and 
 her husband is trying to arrange his business to that 
 end. It is possible they may be here before the be- 
 ginning of another year, in which case, I intend rent- 
 ing or buying a house, and having them live with 
 me." 
 
 ' 'How nice !' ' exclaimed Edna. ' 'Are there any girls 
 in the family, Mr. Crescent?" 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 23 
 
 "Only one, Miss Edna, and she is but six years of 
 age. A very sweet little girl, and a great pet of her 
 grandpa, I assure you." 
 
 Shortly a waiter appeared bearing a large silver 
 salver upon which was a delicious luncheon, and soon 
 the four were seated around the table with a thorough 
 enjoyment of the situation. 
 
 "How delightful!" exclaimed Edna, with a sigh of 
 content, as she finally laid down her knife and fork, 
 and surveyed the others. "I had almost forgotten 
 there was such a thing as comfort in a meal. Actually, 
 I havn't had to jump up once for anything, and con- 
 sidering that such has been the case of late from five 
 to ten times during every repast, I am prepared to en- 
 joy this contrast." 
 
 "It has not seemed to hurt you," said Eudora, as 
 she smilingly surveyed the plump form and rosy 
 cheeks. ' ( You might become too stout, Edna, if you 
 had not plenty of exercise." 
 
 "O, of course, I expected you to see some good in 
 it," retorted Edna. "I wonder if there is anything 
 you don't see good in?" 
 
 "I hope not, little sister. The friends I told you 
 about taught me to say when I felt in a grumbling 
 mood, 'I have faith in God as the one and only power 
 working in and through my life.' Looking for the 
 good, we find only the good, and begin gradually to 
 realize that all things work together for our good." 
 
 It was easy for Eudora to say these things ; they 
 came to her as naturally as did other topics. To 
 Gladys, it would have been almost impossible to give 
 
24 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 expression to any of her deeper feelings, and she could 
 not understand her sister. 
 
 "Well, now, Miss Eudora," said Mr. Crescent, 
 "that is very sensible. Here I have been a church 
 member for well, forty years at least, and I've 
 grumbled considerably when 'things went wrong, as I 
 called it. However, it's never too late to learn, and 
 I'll see if I can't go on another tack for the future. 
 But I have a piece of good news for you, young 
 ladies. I have just discovered that former intimate 
 friends of mine from New York are living in this 
 house next you. The family consists of the father 
 and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Warringsford, one son, a 
 widower, and his two children, a girl of twelve and a 
 boy of six. Mrs. Warringsford intends calling on 
 you early in the week, and I assure you the acquaint- 
 ance will be of advantage to you in many ways. 
 They are people well worth knowing, aside from other 
 considerations. ' ' 
 
 "We shall be happy to meet them," said Kudora, 
 as Gladys was silent. Then all set to work again. 
 
 That night, as the girls lay down early to rest, tired 
 out with their unusual exertion, Edna said, after a 
 long silence: 
 
 "Kudora, what were you murmuring to yourself just 
 now? Are you talking in your sleep?" 
 
 "Only saying what I call my song, Kdna. I repeat 
 it every night, and sometimes now I forget I am not 
 alone, and say it out loud." 
 
 ' 'What is it ?" asked Kdna, regardless of the nudges 
 Gladys freely administered. 
 
 But there was no hesitation in the calm reply: 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 25 
 
 " 'Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all 
 this day of my life. ' ' 
 
 "And what of the disagreeablenesses, and vexations, 
 and provokingness of things in general that some- 
 times seem to make up a large part of one's day?" 
 asked Edna. 
 
 ' 'Well, they are part and parcel of that very good- 
 ness and mercy, and among the all things working to- 
 gether for our good. ' ' 
 
 "O well," said Edna, ' 'it's very nice, of course, to 
 feel that way, but when unpleasant things come to 
 me, they just seem twice as big as the pleasant things, 
 and I think of them the last thing at night and the 
 first in the morning." 
 
 ' 'So used I to do, little sister, as you may possibly 
 both remember. But this was one of the lessons 
 taught me by those friends: To hold the mercy and 
 goodness so close to my eyes that vexations and an- 
 noyances would be completely hidden from view. 
 They taught me it was possible so to afo-use my fault- 
 seeing eyes that, like the fish who, from living in a 
 cavern and having therefore no use for their eyes, be- 
 come entirely blind, I might gradually lose their 
 sight. And I don't despair," she said, laughingly, 
 "that such will eventually become the case, for they 
 are much dimmer than of yore!" 
 
 "Girls, do stop talking, and go to sleep," said 
 Gladys, crossly. Nevertheless, she lay awake ponder- 
 ing the matter long after her sisters had obeyed both 
 commands. 
 
26 A BySINESS VENTURIS; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Monday morning came. Eudora and Edna were 
 early at their ' 'place of business, ' ' as Edna laughingly 
 called it, while Gladys remained behind to set matters 
 to rights, and to prepare their noonday lunch, which 
 she was to carry to the store. There were no shutters 
 to take down, none having ever been put up, but the 
 window was to be arranged in the most attractive 
 manner, a small stand placed near the door, upon 
 which the morning papers were to be displayed with 
 their most glaring head-lines visible, and some other 
 matters regulated. Then the girls sat down to await 
 customers. 
 
 Edna was soon deep in a book, and Eudora engaged 
 in writing a letter to her dear Aunt Julia, "for I don't 
 expect a single soul," said Edna, "in this out-of-the- 
 way-place, ' ' and yet she would have been extremely 
 disappointed had such been the case. 
 
 Half an hour passed. It was eight o'clock, and 
 both girls, absorbed in their occupations, had well- 
 nigh forgotten that they were no longer ladies of lei- 
 sure, but poor girls working for their living. 
 
 Suddenly the door opened, and a little figure en- 
 tered. A boy, about eight years of age, barefooted, 
 with patched clothes, and a little, thin face down 
 which the tears had streaked a channel. 
 
 "What is it, little boy?" asked Eudora, kindly, as 
 he stood just within the door looking alternately at 
 her and Edna. "Is anything the matter? " 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 2 7 
 
 Tears again seemed imminent. 
 
 "Teacher said I must have a pencil an' I ain't got 
 no money" a sob. 
 
 "Won't your mother give you a penny?" asked 
 Eudora. 
 
 "She did an' she'll lick me when I git home." 
 
 "Did you lose it? " inquired Edna. 
 
 "Didn't neither ! I I looked in the baker's win- 
 der, an' I seen some rolls with sugar on 'em an' I 
 was hungry an' I buyed one with the penny an' 
 she'll lick me when I git home." Another sob, 
 louder than the others. 
 
 "Were you very hungry?" asked Edna, coming 
 forward to interview their first customer. 
 
 "Guess I was. Didn't have no supper, an' only 
 bread, so big" extending two little fingers "for 
 breakfast an' I'm hungry now that roll was nothin' 
 made me hungrier. ' ' 
 
 "Wait," said Edna, impulsively, as she went into 
 the adjoining room. She had brought part of their 
 lunch herself, to leave less for Gladys to carry, and 
 now opening the parcel she took out several slices of 
 bread and butter and a piece of cheese. 
 
 "Here," she said, as she handed them to the de- 
 lighted child, "eat this and you won't be hungry any 
 longer. ' ' 
 
 He needed no urging, but seating himself on the 
 floor in the corner began speedily to devour the pro- 
 visions, eyeing his benefactress from time to time, as 
 a hungry dog devouring his bone eyes his master. 
 Edna resumed her book and Eudora her writing 
 until the repast should be over. Then the small boy 
 
28 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 arose slowly, with the look of contentment dying out 
 of his face as he remembered the lost penny. But 
 Kudora speedily restored the sunshine, as she held in 
 front of him a gaudy, gilded slate-pencil. 
 
 "Here," she said, pleasantly, "You can have the 
 pencil without any money this time. But another 
 time, when your mother gives you a penny to buy 
 something with, you won't spend it for anything else, 
 will you?" 
 
 "No'm," as he clutched the pencil ; then without 
 another word he ran out, banging the door behind him. 
 The girls looked at each other and Edna laughed. 
 
 "Our first customer ! " she said. 
 
 "Our first customer !" repeated Kudora, with a soft 
 light in her eyes. ' ' O Edna, how glad I am ! It is 
 so lovely to begin our new life by ministering to our 
 Lord." 
 
 "Why, Eudora!" Edna looked rather shocked. 
 "That sounds irreverent or it would, if anybody else 
 said it." 
 
 "Why should it, Edna? Has He not said, 'Inas- 
 much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, 
 ye have done it unto Me?' But as I told you, dear, I 
 am only just learning to take Him at His word, and 
 you and I will learn the lesson together. ' ' 
 
 Again the door opened and again a boy appeared, 
 a boy as tiny as the other, but there the resemblance 
 ceased. This one was most daintily dressed, with 
 long golden hair flowing around, harmonizing with 
 his refined and picturesque appearance. Approaching 
 the counter with a manly air, he lifted his lovely blue 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 29 
 
 eyes to the tall young lady standing behind it, with a 
 comical appearance of business. 
 
 "Good morning, little man," said Kudora, smiling 
 down upon him. "Can I do anything for you ? " 
 
 "Yes," said the child, putting his tiny fingers into 
 his tiny pocket. Then suddenly remembering, he 
 pulled them out again, whisked off his cap, and said 
 "Good morning," politely. Holding it in one hand, 
 he put his fingers again into his pockets, and had 
 quite a hunt before he uttered another word. Finally 
 he produced in succession one penny, another, and 
 still another then a dime. "That's all," he said, 
 with a cute baby lisp, and handed the money gravely up 
 to Budora. 
 
 "But what is it for ? " she asked. 
 
 "For you," he replied, keeping his large eyes fixed 
 upon her. He had evidently forgotten his errand. 
 
 "But I must give you something for it." 
 
 His eyes brightened. "Candy! " he suggested, and 
 as both girls laughed, he dropped his eyes with an 
 abashed look. 
 
 ' 'But we have no candy, little man. What did your 
 mamma tell you to buy ? ' ' 
 
 "My mamma is in Heaven; but I'll go and ask 
 grandma. ' ' 
 
 He trotted out, and they watched him as he ran 
 along the flagged pathway leading through the beauti- 
 ful grounds of their next door neighbor. 
 
 "He's Mrs. Warringsford's little grandson," ex- 
 claimed Edna. "Isn't he perfectly lovely! " 
 
 The child had evidently been kept in view, for a 
 white-capped and aproned nurse met him near the 
 
30 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 door, and then a colloquy ensued. He ran back with 
 beaming eyes, hardly waiting until he was within the 
 door, before stammering out as though fearful of for- 
 getting, "It's fora pencil and and two slates no, 
 for two pencils and one slate to write on, you know 
 for me to draw pigs on with a eye in the middle I 
 draw them awfully pretty I'll make you one as soon 
 as you give me the slate. Thank you " with a funny 
 little bow, as Eudora, after a prolonged search for a 
 double slate, finally handed him the desired articles. 
 "But you tooked a long time finding them, didn't 
 you?" 
 
 Then he went away, forgetting his offer of drawing 
 them a pig, but not forgetting to make another bow, 
 and to say good morning, adding, 'Til come again 
 to-morrow. ' ' 
 
 "Well!" said Edna, "there's a contrast for you! 
 Extremes met this time, didn't they ? But what have 
 you to say about our second customer, for I'm sure 
 you have thought of something ? ' ' 
 
 Eudora had no time to reply, for again the door 
 opened, and a handsome aristocratic-looking, elderly 
 lady entered. Smilingly approaching the counter, she 
 extended her hand to Eudora, who rose to meet her. 
 
 ' 'Will you allow me to introduce myself, Miss Gray- 
 ston?" she said, in a pretty, winning manner. "I am 
 Mrs. Warringsford, your next door neighbor. Mr. 
 Crescent is a very dear friend of ours, and I am most 
 happy to make the acquaintance of any friends of his. 
 Mr. Warringsford and myself had arranged to call on 
 you last Saturday evening, but were detained at home 
 until too late. We shall do ourselves the pleasure of 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 31 
 
 calling some evening this week, and in the meantime 
 I have run over informally to welcome you as neigh- 
 bors, and to express the hope that we shall be very 
 good friends before long. ' ' 
 
 ' 'Thank you, Mrs. Warringsford, ' ' replied Eudora. 
 "Mr. Crescent has spoken of you to us, and we have 
 already become acquainted with your little grandson 
 I believe he is." 
 
 "O, I^ogan," said Mrs. Warringsford. "I hope you 
 will not find him very troublesome. When he likes 
 people, he is apt to become extremely devoted. But 
 send him away whenever you become tired of him. ' ' 
 
 After some further conversation, Mrs. Warringsford 
 told the girls that she wished to become a subscriber 
 for several of their magazines, having now, as she said, 
 more time for reading than formerly. "And I see 
 you have artists' materials. Then I must let Gabrielle 
 come in and make her own selection. She has quite 
 a taste for drawing and painting, and we wish to en- 
 courage her by supplying her with all that is neces- 
 sary, or that she cares particularly to have. ' ' 
 
 Then the lady smilingly took her departure. 
 
 "What next?" exclaimed Edna, delightedly. "This 
 is charming! If only it would last!" 
 
 But there was no "next" for quite a while. Eu- 
 dora had time to finish her lengthy epistle, then to 
 help Edna in opening some more boxes, besides re- 
 arranging the window and counter in more alluring 
 guise. 
 
 "It is nearly noon," she said, consulting a small 
 traveling clock which stood on a shelf in full view. 
 "Almost time for Gladys to be here." 
 
32 A BUSINESS VENTURE: OR, 
 
 At this moment, a troop of school children came 
 down the street, and three or four entered the store 
 noisily, then quieted down a little as they saw the 
 handsome young lady who stood waiting to receive 
 them. She smiled pleasantly, as she said: "Good 
 morning, girls; have you just come from school?" 
 
 "Yes," replied the tallest girl, rather pertly. "I 
 want a lead pencil and a writing pad." 
 
 Edna, to whom Eudora now gave way, produced a 
 box of pencils, and laid a variety of pads upon the 
 counter. The girl selected a pencil, then turned over 
 the pads, looking at all critically. Finally, she held 
 up one of the largest and best. 
 
 "How much is it !" she inquired. 
 
 "Fifteen cents." 
 
 "O, my! that's too much. It ought only to be a 
 nickel." 
 
 "Well, here are some pencil pads for a nickel," said 
 Edna. 
 
 "O, but I want one for ink. Say, can't you let me 
 have this for a nickel ?' ' 
 
 "O, I suppose so," said Edna, regardless of Eu- 
 dora' s warning look; and the girl, snatching up her 
 purchases without waiting for them to be wrapped up, 
 departed, followed by the others, one lingering behind 
 to ask: "Do you keep candy ?" 
 
 "Now, Eudora," said Edna, "you look as if you 
 did not approve. I would have supposed that you, 
 above all people, would think it right to be gen- 
 erous. ' ' 
 
 "But I don't call that generosity, Edna, The little 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 33 
 
 girl was evidently well able to pay for what she 
 wanted, or, at least, needed; and that five-cent pad 
 was probably just the thing for her to use in school, 
 as I saw a similar one in the hands of two of the other 
 girls. I don't know much about prices, of course; 
 but perhaps those pads may have cost eleven cents at 
 wholesale, in which case we lost six cents by that lit- 
 tle transaction." 
 
 "Odear!" said Edna, her business faculties asserting 
 themselves. "I never thought of that! It seemed as 
 if we got them for nothing, as we didn't pay for each 
 article separately. I shall certainly be more stingy 
 another time. By the bye, I ought to attend to my 
 book-keeping, or everything will get mixed up. It 
 won' t do to be slipshod in that direction. ' ' 
 
 And Edna was deep in her accounts when Gladys 
 entered with their lunch. As they discussed it around 
 the cozy little table, Gladys was given a full narrative 
 of the morning's adventures. She listened with in- 
 terest to the account of Mrs. Warringford's call, and 
 of her having subscribed for the magazines. 
 
 "I don't like patronage," she said shortly, when 
 the story was ended. 
 
 "O, Gladys," said Edna, eagerly, "you would not 
 call it patronage if you knew Mrs. Warringsford. 
 She is just as sweet as can be. Isn't she, Eudora ?" 
 
 "Yes, indeed, Gladys. She is simply kind and 
 friendly, as she would naturally be to friends of a dear 
 friend. You will understand when you meet her. It 
 is a great thing for us to have found, at the very out- 
 set of our business career, a friend such as she is 
 likely to prove and our next-door neighbor, too. ' ' 
 
34 
 
 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 "Oh, well," said Gladys, calmly dismissing the sub- 
 ject, as no more objections occurred to her, "if you 
 and Edna are satisfied, I am sure I am." 
 
 But something of a cloud overshadowed for a while 
 the brightness of the morning sunshine. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 35 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 While Hudora and Edna washed up the dishes, 
 Gladys took their places in the store. Shortly after- 
 wards a man entered and asked for cigars, much to 
 Gladys' indignation. He evidently noticed her look, 
 for he made a sort of apology, and, perhaps to atone, 
 bought a newspaper. A few minutes after, a stylishly- 
 dressed lady, in passing, glanced at the window, then 
 through it at Gladys, who sat reading behind the^ 
 counter; paused, hesitated, finally entered and asked 
 for note paper. As she examined the assortment 
 Gladys laid before her, many a furtive glance was di- 
 rected to the pretty, aristocratic-looking girl who stood 
 with quiet dignity behind the counter. 
 
 ' 'You have only lately opened this store, I believe ? 
 I noticed its being closed the last time I passed this 
 way. ' ' 
 
 "Yes," replied Gladys, as she proceeded to make a 
 parcel of the selected paper very awkwardly, as she 
 felt herself. "We only began business this morn- 
 ing." 
 
 She spoke stiffiy, as though resenting the inquiry, 
 and the lady, who had really begun to feel an interest 
 in the young girl who looked so out of place in such 
 surroundings, inwardly resolved that she would not 
 enter that store again. At this moment Eudora came 
 in from the adjoining room, and, approaching the 
 counter, greeted the stranger so pleasantly that the 
 latter changed her mind again, and concluded that she 
 
36 A BUSINESS VENTURK; OR, 
 
 would return. "She is prettier than the other, and just 
 as aristocratic-looking," she thought; "but there is a 
 world-wide difference in their ways and manners. ' ' 
 
 Then as Gladys was somewhat long in making up 
 the parcel, a few pleasant words passed between the 
 two, and the lady departed in a very different frame 
 of mind from what would have been the case had not 
 Eudora entered. 
 
 "You spoke to that person exactly as if she had been 
 an old friend," remarked Gladys, after a few moments 
 silence. 
 
 "Well," said Eudora, smilingly, "in one sense she 
 is an old friend. We are all brothers and sisters, you 
 know." 
 
 "Now, Eudora, that is nonsense. We can't be 
 'hail-fellow-well-met' with everybody. A certain re- 
 serve is proper with strangers, especially alone as 
 we are; it is more dignified." 
 
 "My dear Gladys," said Eudora, now speaking 
 seriously, "there is no loss of dignity in kind, friendly 
 manners to all; there is a vast difference between 
 friendliness and familiarity. Politeness somebody calls 
 'surface Christianity,' but don't you think that those 
 of us who are trying to live the Christ-life ought to 
 have that real kindliness of heart which goes beyond 
 mere politeness, and which feels more or less of an in- 
 terest in all our fellow-creatures ?' ' 
 
 "Of course," said Edna, who had come to the door 
 in time to hear the last few words. "It's a great deal 
 better to be sociable. If I should be stiff in my man- 
 ner, I know I would not sell half as much as I other- 
 wise might and expect to do. ' ' 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 37 
 
 "That is another and an important consideration," 
 said Eudora, ' 'in our position. If we wish our busi- 
 ness to be a success, we must make our little store 
 so pleasant that people who come once will want to 
 come again." 
 
 "Yes, indeed," said Edna. "Don't you remember, 
 Gladys, how much we disliked going to A's store, be- 
 cause the clerks were so disagreeable, and how at last 
 we stopped going entirely, and went to B's, because 
 the clerks were so pleasant there, and seemed to take 
 a real interest in our purchases, even giving sug- 
 gestions here and there, when we were puzzled as to a 
 choice ? And I remember, Gladys, your saying once 
 that you were sure those other clerks were damaging 
 the business, and that if their employers knew of it, 
 they would soon be given their ticket of leave. ' ' 
 
 "And I am very sure of one thing," said Gladys, 
 reprovingly, "that I never used slang; and I really 
 wish, Edna, that you would drop it at once. You 
 know how Mademoiselle tried to impress upon you how 
 extremely unlady-like it was ' ' 
 
 But the door opened again, and this time Gladys 
 slipped away, leaving her sisters to manage the new 
 customer. A rough-looking man he was, and Edna 
 shrank towards the back of the store, though rather 
 feeling that the act was one of cowardice. He 
 lounged up to the counter, upon which he threw three 
 coppers. 
 
 "I vant to-day's Times," he said, in a rude tone. 
 
 "They are five cents apiece," replied Eudora, in her 
 usual pleasant manner. 
 
38 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 "That's too much," he growled. "Never paid 
 more than three pennies. ' ' 
 
 ' 'They tried selling them at that price, ' ' said Eudora, 
 still pleasantly, "but found they could not make it 
 pay, so returned to the former price. ' ' 
 
 "Well, it's too much," said the man more roughly 
 than before. ' 'Just hand me over one of them papers, 
 will you ? ' ' 
 
 By this time Edna had recovered her courage, and 
 came forward prepared to defend her sister. But 
 Eudora needed no help. 
 
 "I can not do that," she answered firmly, but with 
 no other change of manner. ' 'That would be unfair 
 to our other customers, who are all obliged to pay five 
 cents a copy. I am sure you must see the reasonable- 
 ness of this." 
 
 Edna scarcely breathed during the pause that fol- 
 lowed. The man hesitated, seemed inclined to per- 
 sist, then gave a gruff laugh and put his hand into his 
 pocket. Taking out two more pennies, he laid them 
 beside the others. "O, well, I guess you're about 
 right," he said more gently, and Eudora politely 
 thanked him as she handed him the paper. Edna 
 drew a long breath of relief as he left the store. 
 
 "O, Eudora, how could you ? Why did n't you give 
 him the paper and let him go?" 
 
 "It would not have been right, Edna. Even suppos- 
 ing he had not more than three cents, a newspaper is not 
 a necessity. It would have been cowardly to yield to 
 threats." 
 
 "I declare, Eudora, I would not have supposed it 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 39 
 
 of you. You are always so yielding and willing to 
 give up your own way to everybody. ' ' 
 
 ' 'Thank you, dear. But in this, I consider it would 
 have been giving into wrong, and therefore allowing 
 wrong to triumph. The amount involved was, of 
 course, very trifling but the principle was the same, 
 no matter what the amount. ' ' 
 
 "But just tell me, Kudora, honor bright, weren't 
 you really and truly frightened ? for the man looked 
 so threatening, and you used to be so scary, you 
 know." 
 
 "I was a little frightened, but only for an instant. 
 Then I remembered my talisman, and the fear left 
 me." 
 
 "Your talisman?" 
 
 * 'Yes or rather one of them ; for sometimes one, 
 sometimes another, comes to mind. This time it was, 
 'nothing shall by any means hurt you. ' ' 
 
 "O, but that was a promise made to the twelve 
 apostles in the long-ago musty past, and hasn't any- 
 thing to say to us. ' ' 
 
 "Why not ! For Jesus, in His discourse to His 
 disciples, told them clearly that His promises were not 
 for them alone, but for all who shculd hereafter be- 
 lieve on Him. And you and I believe on Him, Edna, 
 so we have a right to claim all those promises. And 
 I am daily learning and so may you, dear how to 
 take a firmer grasp of them, and how to give the 
 'right knock' which opens the Kingdom of Heaven to 
 all believers even here on earth. ' ' 
 
 Again the door opened, very softly this time, and a 
 Chinaman entered. He was dressed in a flowing robe 
 
40 A BUSINESS VKNTURK ; OR, 
 
 of black stuff, partly covering trousers of the same ma- 
 terial. Embroidered sandals, and a small black cap, 
 completed the costume. Kdna recognized him as the 
 Chinese herb-doctor who lived about three blocks from 
 them, in a rather handsome house, upon the front 
 lawn of which a large sign was displayed, bearing his 
 name, the diseases he professed to heal, and references 
 to the cities in which he had performed cures. His 
 countenance was intelligent, betokening culture. In 
 tolerable English he asked for a bottle of ink, paid 
 for it in silence, gave a quick glance around the store, 
 including its inmates, then departed as quietly as he 
 had entered. 
 
 "Isn't he nice?" said Eudora, and then Edna told 
 her all she knew about him. 
 
 "When we first came to L,os Angeles," she contin- 
 ued, "I used to like going about the streets, reading 
 the queer signs one meets in every direction. Spirit- 
 ualists, palmists, mind-readers, card-readers, hypno- 
 tists, psychologists and ologists of all kinds hang out 
 their signs as freely as regular M. D.'s do in other 
 cities. It used to give me a weird feeling at first, but 
 now I hardly even notice them. As to the Chinese, 
 they are as thick as blackberries there goes our 
 orange Chinaman, and I must stop him, for there's no 
 one at home, and we should miss him for another 
 week. ' ' 
 
 So saying, seizing a basket, she ran out, and stop- 
 ping a passing wagon soon returned laden with fine 
 large oranges. 
 
 "How delightful !" exclaimed Eudora. "But were 
 you not extravagant to buy so many ? ' ' 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 41 
 
 ''Here are only ten; but some are so large that 
 there seem a good many more. How much do you 
 suppose I gave for the whole ? ' ' 
 
 "Perhaps half a dollar. 
 
 ' 'Just ten cents ! And the man says, after awhile, 
 he will give us twelve or fourteen for the same money. 
 They are dearer in the stores, but these are the 'culls' 
 from the packing houses, where they throw aside 
 those of unequal sizes or any having the smallest 
 defect or bruise and sell them for a trifle either in 
 large or small quantities ; you see they are of various 
 sizes look at this immense Navel one. Here is the 
 only one having the slightest blemish that I can see, 
 and it has only a tiny soft spot on this end. Try one, 
 and see how delicious they are. ' ' 
 
 One more customer a rather extensive purchaser 
 of letter paper and business ended for the day, as 
 they had decided that it was best to close the store 
 and return home before dark. Well, no, not exactly 
 ended. There was another customer, though hardly 
 to be regarded as such. A few minutes before five 
 o'clock Mr. Crescent walked in not at all to the sur- 
 prise of the girls, who had been rather expecting him 
 at any moment through the day. 
 
 "Well, young ladies, I have denied myself the 
 pleasure of calling earlier that you might be quite 
 undisturbed in this your first day of practical business 
 life. How goes it ? " 
 
 "O, beautifully"!" said Kudora, and, "perfectly 
 splendid," said Edna. But Mr. Crescent looked cu- 
 riously around, as though expecting another voice. 
 
 "I am delighted," he said. "You must give me all 
 
42 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 the particulars by and bye, but first I must make my 
 purchases. You did not reckon on me for a customer, 
 did you?" 
 
 "Indeed, you shall not," said Gladys coming in at 
 the moment. "You know you don't want anything 
 in this little store, and you just shall not buy from 
 pity, do you hear, sir ? " 
 
 "I beg your ladyship's pardon" and Mr. Crescent 
 made a low bow "but I do really want something in 
 this little store ; and I am going to have it too. In 
 the first place, I buy a number of magazines every 
 month, and as you have a goodly supply, I may surely 
 be allowed the pleasure of buying them here, in prefer- 
 ence to going elsewhere. In the next place, I am 
 badly in need of writing paper, and shall now lay in 
 my supply for the winter. Fortunately, you have a 
 large stock on hand, and can not refuse to accommo- 
 date me." 
 
 He then proceeded to buy to such an extent that 
 Edna laughingly remarked he would require a wheel- 
 barrow to take his purchases home. 
 
 "And, now," he said, "I see you have a lamp on 
 that shelf ready for lighting. Suppose we spend half 
 an hour in going over the accounts Miss Kdna has 
 kept. I studied bookkeeping in my youth and may, 
 perhaps, be able to give you some useful hints. I 
 shall then, with your permission, escort you home, as 
 it is already growing dark." 
 
 Settling themselves cosily in their little sitting- 
 room, Kdna brought in her account book, which Mr. 
 Crescent carefully examined. 
 
 "Why, you are quite a bookkeeper, Miss Edna," he 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 43 
 
 said, at last, "no need of many hints here, and your 
 sales have been remarkably good for a beginning. If 
 you keep on at this rate you can manage very well, 
 provided you have made a tolerably accurate reckon- 
 ing of what is likely to be your cost for living after 
 your removal to this place. ' ' 
 
 "We have only made a rough guess at it," said 
 Gladys. ' 'You see we have none of us had much experi- 
 ence in such matters, and so far, when I have made a cal- 
 culation as to what was likely to be our week' s expenses, 
 they have usually exceeded my estimate often by a 
 good deal. Something unexpected is always turning 
 up. For example, last week an express parcel from 
 the East was sent me for a birthday present from one 
 of my former rich friends. It was an expensive 
 piece of bric-a-brac, really more in my way now than 
 anything else, and I had to pay a dollar and a quarter 
 for the express. Of course, I appreciated my friend's 
 kind intention, and she never thought about the cost, 
 as I should not either a year ago all the same, it made 
 a hole in our little fund. And I do not think there has 
 been a single week since we have been at housekeep- 
 ing that there has not been one or more of just such 
 unexpected happenings. ' ' 
 
 "Then we must leave a margin for the unexpected," 
 said Mr. Crescent, ' 'but you will not always make as 
 much as you have to-day; and, again, there are days 
 when you will make a great deal more especially 
 when you become better known. The beginning of 
 school sessions will probably be a harvest time; when 
 the children have to change books, or to buy new ones. 
 You are near a large public school, so are likely to 
 
44 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 have a good chance iu that line. Take it altogether, 
 it seems to me the only satisfactory way is to try the 
 thing for a month; by that time, you ought to have 
 a pretty good idea of whether it is going to work or 
 not. Miss Kdna, I compliment you on your good 
 business head. ' ' 
 
 That evening, Mr. and Mrs. Warringsford made 
 their promised call. In the course of conversation, 
 the discovery was made that Mr. Warringsford had 
 been well acquainted with Mr. Grayston in a business 
 way in New York, and that both families had mutual 
 acquaintances residing there; so that, when they parted 
 at a late hour all felt that they were no longer strangers, 
 but on the road to being very good friends, indeed. 
 Just as they were about to leave, Mrs. Warringsford 
 paused, and said: 
 
 ' 'There, now, we were going away without mentioning 
 a project which we hope will meet with your approval. 
 Mr. Crescent has informed us that you propose living 
 in the rooms connected with the store. He cannot 
 become reconciled to the modern idea of young girls 
 taking care of themselves, so far as living alone is 
 concerned; and I may say," she added, laughingly, 
 "Mr. Warringsford and I share his views. You are 
 aware, no doubt, that our grounds reach to the side of 
 your building. Now, if you like, our gardener will 
 make a walk between the two places, leading from our 
 side door to your back door, thus connecting the 
 houses, and putting you, in a manner, under our pro- 
 tection. This will relieve the mind of our mutual 
 friend, and I think be an advantage all around." 
 
 Of course there was nothing to say, except to thank 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 45 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Warringsford for their kindness, after 
 which they took their departure. 
 
 "What were you going to say about that second cus- 
 tomer, Eudora?" asked Edna, when the girls had 
 finally retired for the night. 
 
 "I hardly remember, dear, but probably I intended 
 saying that as in the first customer we ministered to 
 our lyord, so He ministered to us in the second, and 
 all the rest of the day, even to its very last hour. He 
 has surely returned us double measure for the little 
 we did for Him. ' ' 
 
 "Then I suppose you will make out that the six 
 cents we lost by that little girl, and the fright that 
 rough man gave us, were all for our advantage too?" 
 
 "I certainly believe they were, Edna. I would be- 
 lieve it even if I did not see how it could be, since 
 all things work together for good. But it is easy to 
 see how our experience in the little girl's case gave us 
 an opportunity to talk over the matter, and to decide 
 on a course of action which will prevent our making a 
 similar mistake when the amount involved may be 
 more of a loss. In the case of the man, it proved to 
 me how well my talisman worked, and gave me new 
 cause to feel that 'what time I am afraid I will trust in 
 Thee.' So, with a grateful heart, I sing my little 
 song to-night, 'Surely goodness and mercy have fol- 
 lowed me all this day of my life. ' ' ' 
 
 And, in the lowest whisper, Edna said it too. 
 
46 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A few days passed, with more or less success in 
 business. The number of sm.dl purchasers increased, 
 as the school children began to find out that such a 
 store existed, while naturally the two larger purchases 
 of the first day were not repeated. Upon the whole, 
 matters were not unsatisfactory, and the girls were 
 quite hopeful. Towards noon of the fourth day, 
 Kudora and Kdna were talking over affairs when 
 Gladys entered with their luncheon. She was deathly 
 pale, so utterly unlike herself that Edna exclaimed, 
 ' 'What is the matter, Gladys ? Are you sick ?' ' 
 
 ''No," she replied, shortly; "only I have a head- 
 ache. Take your lunch, girls, before it gets cold. I 
 cannot eat anything at present I had better go home 
 and lie down awhile." 
 
 She turned and went away suddenly, as though fear-' 
 ing to be questioned; and the two girls looked at each 
 other uneasily. 
 
 "She seemed quite well when we left her this morn- 
 ing," said Edna. "I even noticed how unusually 
 lively she was." 
 
 "Yes," said Eudora, musingly; "she is not subject 
 to headaches, either. Edna, I think I had best leave 
 you in charge here, and go back to see if I can do 
 anything for her. I shall not stay long unless it 
 should be necessary; but if I do not return before 
 five, you may then lock up and come home." 
 
 It was a surprise to Edna to see Eudora again be- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 47 
 
 fore a half-hour had elapsed. There was a grave ex- 
 pression on her usually sunny countenance. 
 
 " Gladys would not let me stay with her," she said, 
 trying to speak cheerfully. "She insisted that she 
 would feel better if left quite alone; so I thought it 
 best to do as she requested. ' ' 
 
 Kudora did not add that she had found Gladys lying 
 across the bed on her face in a paroxysm of subdued 
 weeping, and that to her sister's frightened inquiries 
 she would return no answer, except to beg her to go 
 back and leave her to herself; which, most reluctantly, 
 Kudora had done. 
 
 "What can possibly be the matter?" said Kdna. 
 "She has been so bright lately especially since you 
 returned home. She was nearly heart-broken when 
 father died it was so sudden and unexpected. And 
 you know, though he loved us all, she seemed his 
 special darling. It was strange, too, for she never 
 made a fuss over him, as I did I used sometimes to 
 think her manner was almost cold to him, though 
 of course she loved him just the same, and it never 
 was her way to gush over anything or anybody. O, 
 dear! I do hope nothing dreadful is the matter! We 
 were just beginning to be so happy again since you 
 have come, Kudora. I'm sure, though, you can't say 
 now that this is all for the best. ' ' 
 
 "Yes, but I can, dear, though I certainly cannot 
 see the reason for it. Doubtless she and we, too, need 
 the lesson this is meant to teach us. And in due 
 time the cloud will pass away. ' ' 
 
 "Well, Kudora, do use some of your talismans to 
 
48 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 make it pass as quickly as possible, for it is just 
 dreadful to have anything the matter with Gladys. ' ' 
 
 "Indeed, I shall, dear. But you have the very 
 same talisman, and must learn to use it also. ' ' 
 
 And Edna, thinking it very good of Eudora not to 
 reprove her for irreverence, which she had really not 
 intended, felt soothed and comforted. 
 
 When they returned home, Gladys was preparing 
 their dinner. She was calm, but extremely pale, w r ith 
 an appearance of exercising strong self-control. 
 
 "How is your head, dear?" asked Eudora, as she 
 gently kissed her. 
 
 "Better, thank you," replied Gladys shortly, with 
 such evident disinclination for further inquiry, that 
 Eudora said no more, by a look also checking Edna's 
 intended questions. Gladys sat down to table with 
 them, apparently forcing herself to eat. But she soon 
 gave up the attempt. 
 
 "Eudora," she said suddenly, "as we intend going 
 so shortly to the store to live, why would it not be as 
 well to go at once ? ' ' 
 
 "Why, Gladys! " exclaimed Edna, before her sister 
 had time to reply. "We have paid in advance for this 
 room, you know, and our month is not more than half 
 over. ' ' 
 
 "I know," said Gladys, in the same constrained 
 tone. "But we won't lose anything, since the other 
 rent is likewise paid. We might as well be there as 
 here." 
 
 "I don't see why," began Edna, but Eudora inter- 
 posed. 
 
 "I think we might just as well be there," she said, 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 49 
 
 as though not surprised at the proposal. "In fact, it 
 would be much more convenient to be all together in 
 one place. And we won't be so cramped, either. I 
 intend 'having a folding-bed in the store for myself ; 
 'that will leave room enough for you two in that small 
 room." 
 
 "Indeed you won't! " exclaimed Edna. "/'// sleep 
 there. But I don't" 
 
 She checked herself as she caught a glance from 
 Kudora, and it suddenly occurred to her that Gladys' 
 eagerness for the change might be in some way con- 
 nected with this mysterious trouble which had come 
 upon her. So they quietly talked together over ways 
 and means, and retired to rest more composed than 
 might have been expected only a few short hours 
 before. 
 
 The following morning, Gladj^s, who had evidently 
 spent a sleepless night, proposed that she should ac- 
 company Eudora to the store, leaving Edna to do what 
 work was to be done, and to prepare and carry them 
 their luncheon an arrangement not at all to that 
 young lady's taste. Gladys was outwardly composed, 
 but had a restless, unhappy look in her eyes, clearly 
 betokening her mental disturbance. Eudora made no 
 attempt to gain her confidence, feeling that the truest 
 kindness would be to leave her to act as she desired or 
 deemed best. 
 
 After opening up the store and making the window 
 appear as attractive as possible, the girls looked around 
 them in the other rooms, trying to decide upon the 
 amount and kind of furniture necessary for decent 
 habitation. Their stock in hand consisted of the 
 
50 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 chairs and table sent by Mr. Crescent, and a small 
 kitchen stove, also their clock and one or two trifling 
 articles. 
 
 "We must have a kitchen table," said Eudora. 
 "Also two wooden chairs. Also pots, pans, skillets, 
 etc. extending the list indefinitely as our means 
 will permit. I have been pricing articles within the 
 past few days, and find we can get a wooden table for 
 one dollar; other things in proportion. We need not 
 cover the floor at present, until we see how we are 
 likely to succeed. ' ' 
 
 "Why, Kudora, how practical you are becoming! 
 It seems more in Hdna's line. What a fine little busi- 
 ness woman she is! I should not wonder if she w r ere 
 to turn out the most valuable member of the firm 
 oh!" 
 
 Gladys' momentarily cheerful tones changed sud- 
 denly, as an irrepressible exclamation burst from her, 
 and a kind of spasm passed over her countenance. 
 With strong self-control, she recovered herself at once, 
 and proceeded with the conversation as calmly as 
 usual. 
 
 "What is your idea in regard to our other apart- 
 ments ?' ' she asked. 
 
 1 'Well, I think we shall have to take meals in the 
 kitchen, make a bed-room of this, and a sitting-room 
 of the one next the store. ' ' 
 
 "Why could we not combine sitting and dining- 
 room?' ' asked Gladys. ' 'The kitchen is so very small. ' ' 
 
 ' 'Because we should have to carry everything through 
 our bed-room and back again and it would be both 
 tiresome and inconvenient. There is no use in our 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 51 
 
 trying to be stylish, Gladys, under present circum- 
 stances. Then we are none of us accustomed to house- 
 work, and we had better make matters as easy as we 
 can for ourselves, to begin with, at any rate. I have 
 no doubt we shall have perplexities of various kinds, 
 but the way will clear as we proceed. ' ' 
 
 At that moment the store door opened, three or four 
 school children entered, and for half an hour both 
 girls were kept busy at the counter. Then a lull en- 
 sued, and they were about returning to their furnish- 
 ing calculations, when Mrs. Warringsford entered 
 "to make a little friendly call," she said. In the 
 course of conversation, Budora mentioned their inten- 
 tion of removing there immediately. 
 
 "Indeed," said Mrs. Warringsford. "Well, now, 
 that is strange, for it was upon this special subject I 
 wished to speak to you at present. This place is too 
 small for three of you to sleep in; it would be ex- 
 tremely inconvenient, to say the least. Now, I have 
 a plan to propose, which I hope you will all approve. 
 We have just lately furnished a room for my little 
 granddaughter a room for her to sleep in, and to call 
 her own. She has long been asking for it, and last 
 night occupied it for the first time. This morning she 
 complained of loneliness, asking to be allowed to re- 
 turn to the nursery at night. I preferred she should 
 not, but was at first at a loss to know what was best 
 to be done, until this plan occurred to me. Gabrielle's 
 room opens on the spare bed-room an apartment very 
 seldom used; and it struck me that, as you would be 
 cramped in this place, one of you might possibly like 
 to occupy it. That would be company for Gabrielle, 
 
52 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 and would, I am sure, make her quite satisfied with 
 her new quarters. There is a door opposite the walk 
 between our two places; it opens on a stair-case lead- 
 ing directly to those apartments, so that you could run 
 over at any time in the course of the evening without 
 fear, and would, I hope, soon feel yourself quite at home. 
 You can talk it over amongst yourselves, and let me 
 know your decision some time to-day. Now, I wish 
 to mention another matter. In re-furnishing Ga- 
 brielle's room, we had to.remove most of the former 
 furniture. It was nearly new, but she called it grown- 
 up furniture, and persuaded us to allow her to make 
 her own selection. Now, you will need some things 
 even in this small place, and it does not seem worth 
 your w r hile to buy much, since you are only making 
 an experiment of the business; so, if you will kindly 
 allow me to send over those articles for which I have 
 no present use, and am forced to store away in the 
 barn for want of better quarters, it will be a mutual 
 accommodation, will it not?" 
 
 Eudora thanked their kind friend warmly. Gladys 
 also thanked her politely, but somewhat stiffly, and 
 Mrs. Warringsford felt rather chilled by her manner. 
 After some further conversation, and an inspection of 
 the rooms in question, their friend promised that the 
 furniture should be sent over at once, and then took 
 her departure. 
 
 "Eudora," said Gladys, abruptly, "I don't like it 
 at all. She is too much of a stranger for us, at least 
 for me, to be willing to put myself under obligation 
 to her. I dislike it very much, indeed." 
 
 "And I, dear Gladys," said Eudora, "was just 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 53 
 
 thanking our kind Heavenly Father for sending us the 
 very things we needed. Besides, she is not really a 
 stranger, Mr. Warringsford having known our dear 
 father, and our being so well known to them through 
 Mr. Crescent. And then are we not all members of 
 the one great family whose head is Christ, and receiv- 
 ing as we do daily, innumerable favors from Him, 
 should we not be willing to receive them from His 
 brethren and ours, taking care of course to return 
 them, should the opportunity offer ; or to pass them on 
 to others." 
 
 "O, well," said Gladys, wearily, "I am sure I don't 
 care anything about it. It is not worth while. Noth- 
 ing is worth while. ' ' 
 
 Kudora saw the distressed look returning to her 
 sister's countenance, and to change her thoughts, went 
 on speaking. 
 
 "I remember when we were staying near Paris last 
 year, I once took the cars to go to the Jardin des 
 Plantes. When I opened my purse to pay my fare, I 
 found to my dismay, that I had forgotten to replenish 
 it before leaving home. A lady sitting beside me seeing 
 my perplexity, said quietly, 'Permettez, Mademoiselle ? 
 and paid my fare without giving me time to reply. Of 
 course, I thanked her, then asked her address, so that I 
 could repay her. She declined giving it, saying smilingly 
 that if I felt unwilling to be indebted to a stranger, I 
 could return the favor by paying at some future time, 
 the fare of anyone who needed it. A short time after, 
 I was again in the cars. Seated near me was an old 
 woman, very poorly, though cleanly, dressed. I 
 noticed her taking out of her pocket a colored hand- 
 
54 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 kerchief, the corner of which she unknotted, and took 
 from it a small coin. It seemed to me she looked at 
 it reluctantly, as though loth to part from it, and sud- 
 denly the thought struck me, here is my chance to 
 repay my debt. I handed in the fare for both. Her 
 delight when she found she had nothing to pay, 
 was really touching. She leaned over in her impetu- 
 ous French way, kissed my hand, and almost sobbed 
 out, 'Ah, the good young lady! I am on my way to 
 see my sick son, and I would have to walk back 
 three miles and I am old and weak ' and so on, her 
 blessings from 'Le bon Dietf following me as I left the 
 car. It would have been most embarrassing had others 
 been present, but happily, we were the only pas- 
 sengers. Of course, in one way it was a trifle, but 
 the resulting happiness was great a happiness which 
 would not have been if I refused that lady's offer. 
 This sounds rather like a sermon though," added 
 Eudora, laughingly, "and I certainly did not intend 
 any such thing. Only, dear Gladys, I wish you could 
 feel with me, that Mrs. Warrings ford's kindness is 
 but a part of the 'goodness and mercy' making up this 
 day, and but another proof of the dear L,ord's care for 
 us a care pervading every part of our lives our 
 joys as well as our sorrows." 
 
 Gladys turned away without speaking, and for the 
 next half hour Eudora was busy in the store. Then 
 she returned to Gladys, who, in the meantime, had 
 swept out both rooms, preparatory to receiving the 
 furniture. Shortly after, two men arrived, carrying a 
 carpet, with a message from Mrs. Warringsford that 
 they had orders to put it down. It w r as large enough 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 55 
 
 for both rooms, but the girls objected to its being cut. 
 That was the order, the men said, and forthwith pro- 
 ceeded to obey instructions. How pretty it was! 
 Gray, with a crimson rosebud scattered here and there, 
 matching the delicate paper on the walls far too 
 handsome for such a place, Gladys said. When all 
 was done the men retired, shortly returning bearing a 
 bedstead, then a bureau and washstand, all looking as 
 though quite new. After that they brought in a 
 small sofa, a few chairs, and a round table, which was 
 about all the furniture their tiny sitting-room could 
 contain. 
 
 "How fine we are!" said Kudora, when the men had 
 finally left. * 'Now we must put up a few pictures and 
 some other trifles, to make the place look really home- 
 like. It begins to feel that way to me already. But 
 what will Edna say? How surprised she will be!" 
 
 "I should say so," remarked the young lady in 
 question, as she walked in by the back door. "I am 
 so astonished I can hardly speak! How in the world 
 did you get settled so soon, and where did all those 
 things come from ?' ' 
 
 Whereupon Kudora gave her sister the desired in- 
 formation, and after the latter had duly examined 
 and admired everything, all three set to work making 
 out a list of household articles necessary for beginning 
 housekeeping. Edna was more practical than her sis- 
 ters, having a business capacity the others lacked. 
 
 "I have been pricing coal as I came along." she 
 said, when they were seated at their early lunch. "It 
 is enormous. So is wood. Most people use either 
 gas or gasoline stoves, or even large coal -oil lamps, 
 
56 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 with reflectors; but I suppose we must do the best we 
 can with this crazy old stove. Perhaps it is just as 
 well that it's not any larger.'* 
 
 "But I thought we should not need fire for any thing 
 but cooking," said Kudora. "I supposed it was warm 
 all through the winter. ' ' 
 
 "Well, you were quite wrong, then, as you will 
 probably find out before long. Of course, there is no 
 such cold as in the Hast; but they say there are many 
 chilly days, especially mornings and evenings, after 
 this month, though some winters are much milder 
 than others. Mr. Crescent says he has a fire in his 
 room every morning from December to April, and 
 sometimes later. ' ' 
 
 "I should be glad of it," said Edna, "if it were not 
 for the financial consideration, for I enjoy cold weather, 
 and think continual heat would become somewhat mo- 
 notonous, if not enervating." 
 
 "I* agree with you," said Gladys. " I shall cer- 
 tainly miss the snow, and even the real sharp, stinging 
 cold." 
 
 "O, well, girls," remarked Edna, "it may be colder 
 than you expect. This may be one of the exceptional 
 winters which tourists are constantly encountering. 
 We shall have to manage with this one fire, though, 
 no matter what the weather is. We can wear shawls, 
 or even our fur capes, when in the store on cold days, 
 and these two little rooms will be warmed enough from 
 the kitchen by leaving the doors open between. I 
 have no doubt myself that it will be as jolly as can be 
 I beg your pardon, Gladys, I mean charming but, 
 privately, I think 'jolly' is the better word of the two 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 57 
 
 to express the situation as I have it in my mind. But, 
 girls, where are we to squeeze in for the night ?' ' 
 
 Then Kudora informed her sister of Mrs. Warrings- 
 ford's invitation, and of her own intention of accept- 
 ing it; upon w r hich Kdna looked grave, as she hardly 
 liked the idea of being left alone with Gladys. How- 
 ever, she said nothing, and present^ she and Gladys 
 set out on their shopping expedition, the latter seem- 
 ing eager to have something to occupy her thoughts, 
 and evidently desirous of hastening their change of 
 abode. 
 
58 A BUSINESS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The following day, in they moved, bag and bag- 
 gage; Mr. Crescent sending an express wagon and 
 personally overseeing the removal of their possessions, 
 consisting chiefly of trunks. Before the others were 
 ready to leave, Gladys was slipping quietly away, 
 when Edna said: "Why, Gladys, are you going with- 
 out saying good-bye to Mrs. Smith ?' ' 
 
 "O, you can say good-bye for me," replied her 
 sister, as she hurried off. 
 
 "Another queer thing," thought Edna. "Gladys 
 is always so punctilious in such matters. I do wonder 
 what the trouble is!" 
 
 In the afternoon, while they were resting and talk- 
 ing over matters, Gabrielle, with whom they had be- 
 come acquainted, and Logan ran in. Gabrielle was a 
 tall, graceful girl, twelve years of age. She had fair 
 complexion and golden hair like her brother, but, un- 
 like him, her eyes were dark. They had both the 
 charming ways and manners of thoroughly well-bred 
 children, but Gabrielle had not Logan's sweet, unsel- 
 fish disposition, nor had he her quickness and delicacy 
 of perception. The little girl had taken quite a fancy 
 to Eudora, and was therefore delighted to hear of the 
 proposed plan for the night. 
 
 "Where do you attend school, Gabrielle?" inquired 
 Gladys. 
 
 "At Miss B 's, not very far from here. It's a 
 
 nice school. There are only twelve girls; no boys." 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 59. 
 
 "No, they won't take me," said Logan; "but I 
 don't care; I like better to stay at home. Grandma 
 teaches me. " 
 
 "What does she teach you?" asked Edna. 
 
 "O, nice things: 'cat' and 'dog' and 'rat.' I can 
 spell them all and more too. And she tells me stories. 
 And Mary that's my nurse teaches me" (in a sing- 
 song voice) " 'Up in a tree, Robin I see, picking them 
 one be one' " 
 
 "One by one," corrected Gabrielle. 
 
 "No; one be one. It's her song and she knows. 
 O" with a rush to the door, as Mr. Crescent entered, 
 for he was a great favorite with both children; and for 
 the few following minutes L,ogan hung about him, 
 chattering incessantly, until Gabrielle considerately 
 took him home. 
 
 "Come and see how nicely we have everything 
 fixed," said Edna (they were now in the store), and 
 Mr. Crescent made a tour of inspection, admiring and 
 exclaiming, entirely to the young lady's satisfaction. 
 When they were again seated, he began: 
 
 "Now, young ladies, I have a plan in my head 
 which I have come for the express purpose of propos- 
 ing to you. May I first inquire if you are fond of the 
 ocean ?' ' 
 
 The affirmative answer was unanimous. Then Mr. 
 Crescent continued: 
 
 "So far, so good. Now, I presume you all are 
 aware that Christmas is approaching, though who 
 would imagine it to look out upon that sun-lit wealth 
 of flowers over yonder ? Our eastern tourists are be- 
 ginning to turn their faces hitherward, and shortly 
 
60 A BUSINKSS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 before Christmas the hotels will probably be well 
 filled, as I am told an unusual number of guests are 
 expected this winter. These people are always on the 
 search for curios, or articles of any kind peculiar to 
 California, to send as tokens to their eastern friends. 
 Knowing something of your artistic taste and ability, 
 it has occurred to me that you might prepare some of 
 these articles yourselves. You would probably have a 
 good sale for them at remunerative prices. For ex- 
 ample, I have seen scalloped shells, or even clam- 
 shells, filled with sea-mosses, on cardboard cut to fit 
 the shells, tied together with ribbon at the top. You 
 could easily do that kind of work, and your united 
 genius will suggest new and heretofore unthought-of 
 combinations in the same line. ' ' 
 
 "Many thanks for the suggestion," said Gladys 
 smiling. "But there are a few difficulties in the way. 
 In the first place, we have no sea-mosses. Secondly, 
 we don't know how to press them if we had them I 
 tried it once at Newport, but had no success. And I 
 am sure there are all sorts of other difficulties which I 
 can not now think of." 
 
 "Your first reason sounds very plausible, Miss 
 Gladys, to say nothing of the second, but I think I 
 can dispose of both. Behold!" 
 
 Taking out of his pocket a tolerably large-sized 
 package done up in a piece of newspaper, he untied it 
 and displayed a mass of dried-up stuff, something re- 
 sembling Irish moss before cooking, though much finer 
 and darker in color. 
 
 "Your first objection is already disposed of ; here is 
 the moss. I found it in a tiny shop, on a side street off 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 6 1 
 
 Broadway, after making inquiries at all the other curio 
 stores in the city. They had plenty of mosses pressed 
 and mounted, but that was not what we wanted. The 
 man told me he had gathered these at the Cataline 
 Islands and elsewhere, intending to prepare them him- 
 self, but had given up the idea for lack of time, and 
 was glad to dispose of them for a mere trifle. So 
 much for the moss now, for the preparation. I have 
 a lady friend at my hotel who understands all that sort 
 of thing, and she kindly instructed me in the process. 
 Are you specially busy at present, Miss Gladys ? ' ' 
 
 "No, our busy time is over for to-day, I think." 
 
 "Well, then, Miss Edna, if you will kindly bring me 
 a basin of water I shall be obliged to you. Now, I 
 shall take some sheets from this writing pad O, I 
 also need a few small pieces of white muslin and 
 then I shall be ready to initiate you into the mysteries 
 of floating and pressing sea-mosses. ' ' 
 
 When all was ready, Mr. Crescent took a very small 
 piece from the mass, put it into the water, and lo ! the 
 dark-reddish, withered-up pinch gradually unfolded 
 into an exquisitely graceful spray of a brilliant red 
 color. Underneath it he slipped a piece of paper, and 
 when it was well spread out thereon he gently and 
 dexteriously lifted both from the water, without al- 
 lowing the spray to fall together again. Then, with 
 a hat-pin, he carefully picked out the edges here and 
 there, making it as perfect as possible. 
 
 "That is all," he said. "Now I lay it on this flat 
 piece of wood, then cover with this piece of muslin. 
 Upon this we lay others prepared in the same manner, 
 and when we have say six or eight in a pile, we will 
 
62 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 lay a heavy weight on top, and the thing is done. 
 Of course, you can prepare as many piles as you like, 
 or put as many in one pile as you choose, but the 
 more there are the longer they take to dry. ' ' 
 
 "How lovely !" and, "Thank you so much," the 
 girls said, as Edna took the basin in front of her and 
 prepared to float more. A little practice enabled her 
 to do it nicely, and she became so fascinated that she 
 was unwilling to leave off. With the others' help 
 several piles were soon made, with but very little 
 diminution of the original lump. There were dark 
 mosses as well as light ones, with every variation of 
 color between, red predominating. Some of the sprays 
 were small, some large, all exquisite. 
 
 "So far, so good," said Mr. Crescent. "Now for 
 the shells. They are for sale at the curio stores, but 
 it occurred to me that you might like to gather them 
 for yourselves, and as I think you told me you had 
 not yet been to the coast, .a trip thitherward would not 
 be disagreeable. Am I mistaken in my surmise ? ' ' 
 
 "It would be lovely, indeed," replied Gladys, to 
 whom his question had been directed, "but " 
 
 ' 'There are no 'buts, ' Miss Gladys. It is all arranged. 
 Mrs. Warringsford has been desirous for some time past 
 to take the children for a day's outing on the beach, 
 and my proposal of having you join the party induced 
 her to decide upon going at once. Now, there are 
 quantities of the kind of shells we want at Long 
 Beach, and although the tide is not just as low as we 
 would like it, and as it will be later, still no doubt we 
 can procure all you can use for a long time to come. ' ' 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 63 
 
 "Why, I thought there was low tide more than once 
 every day!" exclaimed Edna. 
 
 "So there is, Miss Edna; but there are certain pe- 
 riods in the year when the tide is specially low; this is 
 the best time for gathering the finer kind of shells. 
 The ones we need are to be had, in more or less 
 abundance, at almost any ordinary low tide." 
 
 "Can we also get sea- mosses ?" asked Edna. 
 
 "Not at L,ong Beach, Miss Edna; nor, in fact, at 
 any of the beaches close to L,os Angeles at least, as 
 far as I know. Some other time we shall spread our 
 wings and take a longer flight, but just at present 
 we must be contented nearer home. Mrs. Warrings- 
 ford has decided upon the day after to-morrow, if that 
 suits your convenience, and I therefore extend you 
 the invitation in my name as host and in her name as 
 chaperon. ' ' 
 
 All the girls thanked him warmly, and then Eudora 
 said: 
 
 "It won't do to close the store, you know. As I 
 have been such a short time in California, I am not 
 supposed to have seen all the sights, as the others are, 
 so I shall stay at home and keep store." 
 
 "O no," said Gladys. "Do let me stay. Indeed, I 
 would rather. I should, indeed." 
 
 But the cloud overspreading Mr. Crescent's counte- 
 nance confirmed Eudora in her suspicion that Gladys' 
 absence would spoil the entire party, so far as he was 
 concerned; she therefore persisted in her determina- 
 tion, and sunshine reigned once more. 
 
 "We go by train at nine A. M.," said Mr. Crescent. 
 "You had better take warm wraps, as the wind is apt 
 
64 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 to be somewhat lively down there at this season; also 
 rubbers, as it is impossible to prevent the feet from 
 getting wet while picking up shells at low tide. ' ' 
 
 "It all sounds so perfectly delightful!" exclaimed 
 Edna, "and it 's ever so good of you, Mr. Crescent, to 
 take so much trouble for our pleasure!" 
 
 About nine o'clock that evening, Mary, the nurse, 
 came over, saying that Mrs. Warringsford had sent 
 her to show Miss Eudora the way to her new quarters, 
 and with affectionate good-nights Eudora departed. 
 Mrs. Warringsford met her at the door, welcomed 
 her warmly, then took her upstairs to her room, where 
 a cheerful fire was burning in a grate the first Eudora 
 had seen since coming to California. Eastern people 
 do not take kindly to the no-fire system, and even 
 acclimated Californians are beginning to find out more 
 and more that a moderate degree of warmth is con- 
 ducive, not only to comfort, but to health, so that 
 houses, at the present day, are mostly built with 
 grates. 
 
 ' 'How delightful !' ' exclaimed Eudora. ' 'This looks 
 like home. ' ' 
 
 "Yes," said Mrs. Warringsford, "I knew you would 
 enjoy it, though it is not really cold to-night. Ga- 
 brielle did her best to keep awake until you should 
 come over, but was forced to succumb at last. Now, 
 my dear, make yourself quite at home; if you need 
 anything, ring this bell, and Mary will come. I hope 
 you do not feel uneasy at leaving your sisters alone?" 
 
 Eudora hesitated. "Not exactly uneasy, Mrs. 
 Warringsford, but it does seem rather desolate for 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 65 
 
 them, unaccustomed as they are to being in a build- 
 ing entirely alone." 
 
 "Indeed, it does, my dear. Mr. Crescent and I 
 were speaking about it this very afternoon, and I 
 think we have thought of a plan which will make all 
 parties feel comfortable. You shall hear about it to- 
 morrow, but now I ought not to detain you, for I 
 know how tired you must be, from all you have had 
 to do to-day. So good-night, my dear, and pleasant 
 dreams. ' ' 
 
 "Good night, Mrs. Warringsford, and thank you so 
 much." 
 
 Next morning Eudora slipped away early before 
 Gabrielle was awake, for she felt a little anxious to 
 know how her sisters had spent the night. Edna met 
 her at the door, and signed to her not to make a noise 
 as Gladj^s was still sleeping. 
 
 "She hardly slept all night," Edna whispered. 
 1 'She thought I did not hear her, but every once in 
 a while I felt the bed shake, and I know she was 
 sobbing. ' ' 
 
 There were tears in Edna's own eyes, and she was 
 paler than Eudora had yet seen her. 
 
 "O, well, dear," she said, soothingly, "Glad3^s will 
 get over it after awhile. She may possibly be think- 
 ing of father; perhaps something of late may have 
 brought him up specially vividly to her mind. ' ' 
 
 "That can hardly be," said Edna, while she as 
 noiselessly as possible lighted the fire. "It came so 
 suddenly, and is lasting so long. I am afraid it is 
 just something dreadful. O, I wish we knew! " 
 
 "It is all in our Father's hands, dear Edna. He 
 
66 A BUSINESS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 loves her even better than we do. No doubt in some 
 way she needs the discipline and we, too or it 
 would not be. So be comforted. Some good is sure 
 to come out of it. Besides, she is not nearly so bad 
 as she was the first day; it will gradually pass away. 
 L,ook up there at that verse on our calendar: 
 
 ' Build a little fence of trust around to-day; 
 Fill the place with loving deeds and therein stay. 
 Ivook not through the shelf ring bars upon to-morrow; 
 God will help thee bear what comes, of joy or sorrow.' " 
 
 "O, Eudora, what would we do without you! " ex- 
 claimed Edna. "I was so miserable last night and 
 this morning, and it seemed as if I never would be 
 happy again. And now I feel ever so much brighter ! ' ' 
 
 Gladys' demeanor, when she joined them at break- 
 fast, was about as usual, the heavy lines under her 
 eyes alone betokening her sleeplessness and mental 
 conflict. Of this, however, Edna's inexperience took 
 no note, and she was doubly re-assured by her sister's 
 outward calmness. 
 
 Later in the day, Mrs. Warringsford, accompanied 
 by a man carrying a box of tools, came in to ask if 
 she might take the liberty of having an electric bell 
 put up between their place and Eudora's room in the 
 other house. "It would make us all feel so much 
 more comfortable," she said; and of course the girls 
 gratefully consented. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 67 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The following morning dawned clear and beautiful, 
 without even a trace of the fog which so often ushers 
 in a perfect day in that locality. Mrs. Warringsford's 
 carriage was at the door at precisely eight o'clock. 
 Mr. Warringsford had previously gone with the chil- 
 dren and nurse in the electric cars to the station, 
 where Mr. Crescent was to join them. 
 
 A twenty-minutes drive brought them to the Arcade 
 depot. As the carriage stopped, Mr. Crescent came 
 forward to assist the ladies to alight; a tall, hand- 
 some young man stood beside him. 
 
 "Why, Ernest!" exclaimed Mrs. Warringsford, 
 joyfully. ' 'When did you arrive ? ' ' 
 
 ' %ate last night, mother; so late that I would not 
 disturb you, but went to Mr. Crescent's hotel, intend- 
 ing to surprise you early this morning. But he in- 
 formed me of the proposed excursion, and I concluded 
 to meet you here, hoping you might possibly add me 
 to your party." 
 
 "Most gladly, my son." And then Mrs. Warrings- 
 ford presented him to the girls. 
 
 The children were awaiting them inside. Both 
 greeted their father rapturously. 
 
 "O, papa! We didn't know you were coming! 
 When did you come ? How did you know we were 
 here ?' ' But they never waited for an answer, quite 
 satisfied with the fact that their father was really 
 
68 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 there. Soon the train puffed in, and they were fairly 
 off . Three quarters of an hour brought them to their 
 destination landing them in the town of Long Beach, 
 instead of somewhere on the sea-shore, as Edna had 
 vaguely supposed would be the case. They had quite 
 a little walk to the Beach, but it was a charming one 
 through a park filled with luxuriant foliage and ever- 
 greens forming summer-houses, arches and other fancy 
 decorations. As they emerged from it, a -few steps 
 brought them to the edge of a high bank, down which 
 were wooden steps leading to the shore. How glorious 
 that first sight of the Pacific Ocean! The waves 
 sparkled in the sun-light, as the wind tossed their 
 crests into foam, and they chased each other perpetually, 
 in a wild rush for the shore. The beach was a wide, 
 smooth extent of sand ; no rocks to make the scene 
 more picturesque, but less dangerous for children 
 in consequence, and therefore a popular family resort. 
 The day was perfect. The sun had already tempered 
 the crispness of the early morning air, and but little 
 wind was blowing. Mary had brought a camp chair 
 for Mrs. Warringsford, who was soon seated beyond 
 the damp line for the tide was going out and with 
 her fur cape around her, and her feet imbedded in the 
 warm, dry sand, she declared that she was more than 
 comfortable. 
 
 Mary had provided both children with a calico bag as 
 a receptacle for their treasures, and they were eager to 
 fill them. There were a few scattered shells on the 
 wet sand, but Mr. Crescent said there would be more 
 when the tide was lower. 
 
 Soon the others were busy picking up whatever 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 69 
 
 treasures they could find, each one differing as to his 
 or her idea of what a "treasure" consisted in; this 
 one passing by carelessly what that one snatched up 
 rejoicingly. And therein lies a moral ; but this is a 
 story, and the reader may search out the moral for 
 himself if so disposed. 
 
 Mr. Krnest Warringsford soon threw himself on the 
 sand at his mother's feet, "to give my dear mother a 
 full, particular and exhaustive account of myself dur- 
 ing my month's absence," he laughingly said. 
 
 Mr. Crescent took possession of Gladys' satchel and 
 devoted himself to her entertainment, now and then 
 picking up a peculiarly pretty shell or pebble, but 
 generally only sauntering idly along the beach, in 
 pleasant converse. Mary had her hands full trying 
 to keep the children from venturing too far after the 
 retreating waves, thus running the risk of being over- 
 taken by the oncoming waters before they could get 
 out of reach. Edna was therefore really the only one 
 who settled down to business, and faithfully picked 
 up shell after shell as soon as spied. It was an un- 
 usually good day for shells so said a boy who was 
 sauntering idly along the shore. As he passed Kdna, 
 she asked him a question, which led to more, and 
 soon the lad became quite friendly, even to the extent 
 of removing his shoes and stockings, and wading for 
 treasures out of Edna's reach. 
 
 "I don't see where you find so many shells to pick 
 up," said Gladys, as they sauntered near her sister 
 again. "I am sure we have scarcely seen any, and 
 you seem to have quite a number. ' ' 
 
 "I have often heard," replied Edna, saucily, "that 
 
70 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 the sea never reveals her treasures except to earnest 
 seekers ; and really, Mr. Crescent and yourself scarcely 
 strike me as coming under that category." 
 
 "O, well, Miss Edna," said Mr. Crescent, "we are 
 at present merely skirmishing ; by and bye we shall set 
 to the conflict in dead earnest. But just at this 
 moment, we have some business up in the town ; so 
 we shall excuse ourselves and hope to rejoin you in the 
 course of half an hour. ' ' 
 
 As they passed Mrs. Warringsford, Mr. Crescent 
 informed her likewise of their purpose. Soon the two 
 were up the steps again, and a short walk brought 
 them into the town. Mr. Crescent entered a small 
 hotel, where he held a colloquy with the powers in- 
 side; then rejoined Gladys, who had remained with- 
 out, looking at some articles in a curio shop near by. 
 When they returned to the beach, Gladys set dili- 
 gently to work to help her sister, and the tide being 
 now entirely gone out, they had soon a goodly number 
 of shells collected. The variegated tints and stripes 
 of the very small clam-shells were lovely, some being 
 of a bright yellow color; and Gladys' artistic eye saw 
 endless possibilities therein. Presently Mr. Ernest 
 joined them, Mr. Crescent taking his place beside Mrs. 
 Warringsford . 
 
 "Papa," said Logan, "I do wish you would go in 
 wading like that boy. You could get us lots of pretty 
 things. ' ' 
 
 But his father smilingly declined. 
 
 At a quarter before one, Mr. Crescent summoned 
 the party together, and they all proceeded to the 
 hotel, where he had ordered luncheon. As they 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 71 
 
 passed by a long, low, wooden building, upon the 
 walls of which were rudely printed in large letters, 
 "Clam Chowder," Gabrielle exclaimed: "Papa, why 
 couldn't we have gone in there and had dinner?" 
 
 "In the first place, little daughter, we have been in- 
 vited elsewhere. Secondly, the sign 'Clam Chowder' 
 is a base deception, there being absolutely nothing to 
 be had in that building until the season shall have 
 fairly opened." 
 
 They had a merry repast at a retired table in the 
 general dining-room, the hotel not boasting of more 
 private accommodations. All did their best to be 
 cheerful, Mr. Ernest making a special effort to be en- 
 tertaining; but it was evident that it was an exertion, 
 for he was naturally of a taciturn disposition, and re- 
 lapsed into grave silence when the effort was over. 
 
 1 'How nice he is!" thought Kdna. "I do like serious 
 men." 
 
 "How much more agreeable Mr. Crescent is," 
 thought Gladys. "The two are not to be compared. 
 Older men are so much more interesting than younger 
 ones. ' ' 
 
 The excitement had temporarily driven her gloom 
 away, causing her to appear almost like her former 
 self. At times, however, recollection would suddenly 
 return, and a spasm of pain would contract her coun- 
 tenance. Many a furtive glance had Mr. Crescent 
 given her during the course of the day, and a look of 
 grave concern occasionally overspread his usually 
 cheerful appearance. While returning home in the 
 train, he and Mrs. Warringsford happened to be seated 
 side by side, a little apart from the others. After 
 
72 A BUSINESS VENTURE) OR, 
 
 some general conversation, the lady remarked in a low 
 tone: "Have you noticed, Mr. Crescent, how badly 
 Miss Gladys is looking of late ?' ' 
 
 "Indeed I have, Mrs. Warringsford. It is too evi- 
 dent to escape notice. ' ' 
 
 "I fear the entire change in their way of living is 
 too much for her strength. I understand they had 
 formerly everything that heart could desire." 
 
 "That is true, Mrs. Warringsford. Their father 
 was very wealthy at one time. He almost idolized 
 these girls, especially Gladys, I have heard, lavishing 
 upon her everything that money could obtain. But if 
 I read her rightly, she has too much character to allow 
 reverses or difficulties of any kind easily to overcome 
 her. No, I am persuaded that is not the matter. ' ' 
 
 "Probably you are right," said Mrs. Warringsford,- 
 thoughtfully. "For the day I first met her, while she 
 had an air of sadness entirely natural to one having 
 lately passed through such a sorrow, yet she certainly 
 did not look as she does now. And she is so thin the 
 dear girl! I am really much concerned about her. I 
 am becoming attached to all those young ladies, but I 
 must acknowledge that, so far, my preference is for 
 Miss Kudora. She strikes me as being superior, in 
 some respects, to her sisters, though they are all re- 
 fined and lovely. ' ' 
 
 If Mr. Crescent did not agree with his friend in re- 
 gard to Kudora, he kept his opinion to himself, merely 
 remarking: "Yes, they are very charming young la- 
 dies," and then changed the subject. 
 
 Mrs. Warringsford 's carriage was in waiting at the 
 depot, and soon Gladys and Edna were deposited 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 73 
 
 safely at their own door. Kudora greeted them 
 warmly. 
 
 "Why, it seems as if you had been away for a 
 week," she said, brightly. "I have kept store finely, 
 and have sold ever so much. But, girls, I have a con- 
 fession to make. Really and truly, I havn't a thing 
 for supper only bread. We all forgot that I could 
 not leave the store to buy provisions, and there is 
 nothing left from breakfast except half a loaf of bread. 
 But, now you are home, I shall go to the nearest res- 
 taurant, and you will soon see the result. ' ' 
 
 As she was engaged in putting on her hat, a knock 
 came to the back door, and there stood Mrs. Warrings- 
 ford's butler, bearing a large waiter covered by a 
 napkin. 
 
 "Mrs. Warringsford sent this with her compli- 
 ments, ' ' said the man, respectfully. ' 'There is a note 
 on the waiter. ' ' 
 
 He laid his load on the table, and, remarking that 
 he would come for the dishes later, took his departure. 
 
 "O, how lovely!" exclaimed Edna, as she lifted 
 the napkin. "Girls, do come and see! You can take 
 off your hat, Eudora; here are provisions enough to 
 last for a week." 
 
 The note was addressed to Eudora, and was as 
 follows: 
 
 My Dear Miss Eudora: 
 
 I had prepared a lunch for our picnic, but found 
 that our friend, Mr. Crescent, had made other arrange- 
 ments. I, therefore, send you your rightful share of 
 4 
 
74 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 the treat, and hope you will enjoy it as much as we 
 expect to enjoy ours. 
 
 Sincerely your friend, 
 
 Iv. WARRINGSFORD. 
 
 "How kind," said Kudora. "Well, girls, I am 
 truly much relieved, for you know I am not accus- 
 tomed to buying provisions, and was not remarkably 
 successful the last and only time I tried it. ' ' 
 
 "Well, I declare!" exclaimed Edna, as one cover 
 after another was lifted. "Quail on toast, fried 
 chicken, oyster patties, Charlotte Russes, jellies, cel- 
 ery and all manner of etceteras. This is a treat sure 
 enough. There is enough for a dozen people. Well, 
 Kudora, I suppose this will help to make up your 
 little song tonight, wont it?" 
 
 "Certainly, dear. It is surely a part of the good- 
 ness and mercy following us all through the day. We 
 have only to open our faith- eyes to see an endless pro- 
 cession of blessings. ' ' 
 
 After supper was cleared away, Kdna produced the 
 bag which she had nearly rilled with shells, and 
 emptied the contents upon the table, sand and all. 
 "It is a good thing that this is the kitchen table," 
 said Gladys. "But it would have been all the same 
 where Kdna is concerned. ' ' 
 
 "Now, Gladys, that is a dreadful insinuation," said 
 Kdna, privately delighted to hear her sister speak in 
 her former sarcastic manner; of late she had not 
 seemed to have spirits enough for sarcasm. "And I 
 have something to tell about you. Where is your 
 satchel ? Produce it, and let Kudora see the contents. ' ' 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 75 
 
 "Very well," said Gladys, in her calm, slow way. 
 "She is quite welcome to the sight, if it will afford 
 her any pleasure. " And she brought the satchel, and 
 added its contents to her sister's pile. 
 
 "About twenty shells," said Edna. "You see, 
 Eudora, she was otherwise engaged. Besides, I sus- 
 pect her dignity prevented her from stooping as often 
 as she might have felt inclined. ' ' 
 
 "You are mistaken, my dear. But I certainly give 
 you credit for indefatigable patience and industry." 
 
 "L,ook how handsome some of those shells are," 
 said Edna. "But they do not look half so pretty as 
 they did down at the beach. What is the matter ? ' ' 
 
 "Because they are dry," said Gladys, "and the lime 
 on them shows more plainly. We must soak them in 
 a solution of muriatic acid and water to remove the 
 lime, then give them a slight coat of varnish. That 
 is the way they have treated those we see in the stores, 
 Mr. Crescent says." 
 
 "Then we had better set to work at once," said 
 Edna, "to get everything ready. The mosses will be 
 dry by to-morrow, and when they are arranged, the 
 varnish will be dry. You know, Gladys, we are de- 
 pending on your artistic ability to make this thing a 
 success. We shall act under your directions." 
 
 Gladys did not at once reply, and Eudora, glancing 
 up at her, saw that sudden look of distress, so com- 
 mon of late, pass over her countenance. But she only 
 replied in her usual calm tones, "I shall do the best I 
 can, though I fear you overrate my skill." 
 
 Exceedingly busy were the few following days, and 
 at their close, there was quite a display of pretty 
 
76 A BUSINESS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 trifles. Cards of sea-mosses arrangedl ike baskets, 
 with shells dotted over them here and there Mr. 
 Crescent had brought them a small box of tiny shells 
 suited for the purpose. Some larger cards with the 
 mosses arranged in the form of a cross, or other de- 
 signs ; about two dozen pairs of large shells tied to- 
 gether with narrow, bright-colored ribbons, of which 
 Edna produced a bagful "the remains of my doll- 
 hood days, ' ' she said. These were filled with card- 
 board cut to fit the shells perhaps six in each upon 
 which were fastened with library paste tiny sprays of 
 mosses of every shade of color. Upon the inside of 
 some of the single shells Gladys had painted pretty 
 little sea-views, all of which, tastefully arranged in the 
 window and counter, formed a charming display. Mrs. 
 Warringsford was delighted. 
 
 "My dear girls," she said, "you have made a great 
 success. I must notify some of my friends who are 
 looking for remembrances to send Hast. I am also on 
 the same search, and as many of these are the most 
 artistic I have seen in that line, I shall be your first 
 customer. ' ' 
 
 "I must also have some, to send to my daughter 
 and her family," said Jlr. Crescent, who w T as more 
 than delighted with his protege's success. "I had no 
 idea, Miss Gladys, that you painted so well. You are 
 really quite an artist, though your modesty led me to 
 believe that you were a mere dauber. ' ' 
 
 "Indeed," said Kdna, "Gladys took lessons of one 
 of the finest artists in New York; and he said jokingly 
 one day, that if she ever needed to make her living in 
 that way, she was quite competent to do so. But 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 77 
 
 Gladys never believed it, but always said she only 
 smattered. ' ' 
 
 Within the few following days, their sales were 
 many and profitable, for during the holiday season 
 these California souvenirs sell at a high price when 
 really well done. Gabrielle had watched with deep 
 interest their progress. "O, how I wish I could 
 paint!" she would often say. "I have been begging 
 Grandma to let me take lessons, but she always says, 
 not yet, it would interfere with my studies; for I am 
 rather backward, you see, in some things. But if she 
 would only allow me to learn, I would try just as hard 
 in everything else. Do coax her to let me take les- 
 sons, Miss Gladys." 
 
 "Perhaps, if you try very hard now in the studies 
 in which you are deficient, you might soon gain your 
 wish," said Gladys. 
 
 And Gabrielle made a firm resolve upon the spot to 
 that effect. 
 
 By Christmas, almost everything had been sold, and 
 the girls found they had realized almost thirty dollars 
 from the sale of those articles alone, besides having 
 sold more than usual that week- of their ordinary 
 goods. 
 
78 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Mrs. Warringsford had given the girls an urgent 
 invitation to join her family in their Christmas dinner, 
 but Kudora had agreed with Gladys that it was best to 
 decline the kindness, somewhat to the disappointment 
 of Edna, who could see no reason for such declination. 
 
 "Well," said Mrs. Warringsford, "if you will not 
 give us the pleasure of your society, you shall at least 
 not spend the day in cooking." 
 
 And this much, at least, they could do no otherwise 
 than accept. Memories of the happy past came over 
 each heart on that sunny Christmas morning, so un- 
 like the frosty landscape their eyes had been accus- 
 tomed to dwell upon at this season so unlike their 
 position, also, in every other respect. Each had pre- 
 pared a little gift for the others, Kudora having re- 
 served for this occasion some handsome books for 
 Gladys, and for Edna some pretty trifles, in dress 
 especially, which she had bought when in Paris. As 
 they sat lingering over their late breakfast the store 
 was closed for the day a series of faint thumps came 
 upon the kitchen door. Edna opened it, and there 
 stood, just as ragged as of yore, their first customer! 
 This time, a tiny girl was beside him, thin as himself, 
 and with the same large, hungry, brown eyes. 
 
 "Good morning," said Edna, pleasantly, as without 
 awaiting an invitation both pushed their way in. 
 
 "Good morning, little man," said Eudora, as he 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 79 
 
 came over to the table and stared hungrily at the 
 food. ' 'Is this your little sister ? ' ' 
 
 "Yes, that's Sissy. She's hungry, and so am I." 
 
 "Had you no breakfast?" asked Kdna, as Kudora 
 proceeded to cut two generous slices of bread and 
 butter. 
 
 "No, nothin' but a cracker. And pap an' mam's 
 both drunk this mornin', 'cause its Christmas an' I 
 told Sissy you'd give us somethin'." 
 
 "How old is Sissy?" 
 
 ' 'Six, an' I'm eight. An' there's a baby but I don't 
 take no stock in him, an' I wish he wasn't never 
 borned. He screams an' cries all the time. ' ' 
 
 lyarge mouthfuls now stopped his utterance for the 
 time being, and Budora drew Gladys into the next 
 room. 
 
 "Gladys, shall we invite these children to be our 
 Christmas guests? We are sure to have far more 
 than we need for ourselves, and I think we should all 
 enjoy it better if these little waifs had plenty too." 
 
 "Just as you like," replied her sister indifferently. 
 "I am sure I have no objection." 
 
 And somehow into her mind came floating words 
 she had once read in her happy, careless days: 
 
 "Is thy cup of comfort waning? 
 Rise and share it with another." 
 
 O, surely, her cup of comfort had utterly run out. 
 Could anything, in earth or Heaven, ever fill it 
 again ! 
 
 About one o'clock their dinner arrived an early 
 one, Mrs. Warringsford had previously informed 
 
80 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 them, on account of the children. Gabrielle and 
 I^ogan had already made them a short call, bearing 
 a wealth of roses and other flowers, such as only 
 California can supply in December. Hdna had brought 
 into requisition every spare tumbler and dish which 
 the house could afford having no vases even utiliz- 
 ing some old tin cans, concealing their identity with 
 festoons of smilax. Each room, including the store, 
 was adorned with fragrant blossoms. 
 
 ' 'This is something we did not have in our eastern 
 home," said Kudora. "Do look at those immense 
 dark roses, and that variety of yellow, and those 
 exquisite deep and pale pink buds. And what im- 
 mense fuschias ! I never saw such large ones. What 
 quantities of daisies, too ; those came off that large 
 bush over there it is so strange to have bushes of 
 daisies. And O, Gladys, here is mignonette father's 
 favorite flower I thought 1 detected the odor." 
 
 But Gladys had suddenly turned away, as though 
 she had not heard, and presently she left the room. 
 A few moments after the arrival of dinner their guests 
 appeared, with faces and hands clean in streaks, hair 
 plastered down with water, and a slight improvement 
 on the morning's rags. But to the girls' surprise 
 they were not alone. lyUgged in the boy's thin arms 
 was a ten-months old baby, bonier, more hollow-eyed, 
 if possible, than the others, but with a certain pathetic 
 infantile beauty, that could not fail to touch with 
 tender compassion every feeling heart. 
 
 "Had to bring the kid," explained Tony briefly. 
 "He was a cryin' awful bad, an' I hated to think of 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 8 1 
 
 Sis an' me gittin plenty an' him empty. So I jist 
 slipped him out of her arms while she was a sleepin'- 
 drunk, you know, an' him too an' I guess you can 
 give him a bone to keep him quiet. I don't take no 
 stock in him, and I wish he hadn't never been borned, 
 I do ; but I hate awful to hear him cryin' . ' ' 
 
 There were tears in Gladys' eyes as she lifted the 
 baby out of the boy's now weary arms. 
 
 1 'I will take him into the sitting-room, Edna," she 
 said, "and feed him, if you will heat some milk, and 
 bring it to me with a slice of bread. Kudora and you 
 can attend to the others this baby shall be my 
 charge. ' ' 
 
 Two plates of turkey cut into small pieces, plenty 
 of mashed potatoes, cranberry jelly, bread and butter, 
 followed by plum pudding, composed the main part 
 of the children's dinner, which the girls had decided 
 to give them before taking their own, feeling that the 
 little ones would enjoy it all the better if left to them- 
 selves. They had also decided that the oyster patties, 
 chicken salad, mince pie and ice-cream, would be 
 more than the little starved systems could manage, so 
 wisely limited the menu. 
 
 How they did enjoy it all ! Once, in an enforced 
 waiting for the pudding, Eudora heard Tony say to 
 his sister in an undertone, "Golly ! don't this beat all, 
 Sissy! An' the kid's stopped cryin' too!" It was 
 evident, in spite of the boy's apparently heartless re- 
 marks, that his baby brother's welfare was very near 
 his heart, for it was only when the cries from the 
 other room were stilled, that he displayed unqualified 
 delight in his dinner. Eudora also noticed that his 
 
82 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 eyes were often fixed upon the tot beside him, with 
 such a keen relish of every mouthfnl she swallowed, 
 that it was almost like a second dinner to him. 
 
 Meantime Gladys was feeding the baby with the 
 bread and milk, rather alarmed at its capacity for 
 "more," and feeling, in her inexperience, that pos- 
 sibly she was doing it serious injury. At last, how- 
 ever, the limit was reached, and the child turned his 
 head aside with a grunt. Then Gladys gently washed 
 the little face and hands she had not ventured to do 
 it until his hunger had been appeased. She took a 
 strange pleasure in these duties duties which a 
 month ago she would have shrunk from ; they seemed 
 to soothe the sore heart which the ordinary routine of 
 life only chafed and irritated. Rocking him softly for 
 a few moments, the pretty blue eyes drooped more 
 and more closed, then opened again closed and 
 opened, as if loth to shut out such unaccustomed 
 comfort, until at last the heavy lids could no longer be 
 lifted, and baby slept. Gladys laid him down on the 
 little sofa, and covered him up warmly. Budora, 
 looking in at the moment, quietly slipped away, feel- 
 ing that the bitterness accompanying this great mys- 
 terious sorrow, had, for the moment at least, been laid 
 to rest. 
 
 "Do you know what day this is, Tony?" asked 
 Eudora, when at last it seemed as if the children 
 could not manage another mouthful. 
 
 *' 'Course it's Christmus," answered Tony, sur- 
 prised at the question. 
 
 ' 'And why do we keep Christmas, do you know ?' ' 
 
 The boy. looked at her vacantly. "Dunno," he 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 83 
 
 said then a bright idea struck him, and he added, 
 " Maybe it's because the war got ended. That's what 
 Jim Stokes said but I said I guessed not, 'cause there 
 ain't no fire-crackers nor nothin' an' if 'twas about 
 war there' d be some noise, wouldn't there?" 
 
 And then and there Eudora made a resolve. * ' Tony , ' ' 
 she said, ' 'would you like to come here to-morrow 
 afternoon, and bring Sissy and that other boy if he 
 wants to come, and I will tell you some pretty stories? 
 To-morrow Sunday, you know." 
 
 "To-morrer," he echoed. ' 'Blamed if I didn't 
 think this was Sunday. I kin come ef it's Sunday to- 
 morrer 'cause pap an' mam' 11 be drunk agin they 
 always bes on Sundays that's why I reckoned 'twas 
 to-day. They don't always let me go when they're 
 straight but I kin slip off other times. We'll come, 
 sure. ' ' 
 
 Reluctantly Gladys put the sleeping child into the 
 boy's arms, warning him to carry the baby carefully, 
 so as not to awaken it. 
 
 "You bet," said Tony, almost staggering beneath 
 the load, light as it really was. "I don't take no stock 
 in him, but I hate mortally to have him holler." 
 
 Then both children took an unceremonious leave. 
 
 "Well," said Edna, laughing, "that youngster is a 
 case, sure enough. But one cannot help liking him. 
 Now for our own dinner. ' ' 
 
 Just as it was about over, in walked Mr. Crescent, 
 carrying a large, flat parcel. After exchanging the 
 compliments of the season, he said, rather hesi- 
 tatingly: 
 
 "Young ladies, I have brought you something 
 
84 A BUSINESS VKNTURK ; OR, 
 
 which I fear may give you momentary pain, but 
 which I trust may prove an. ever-increasing source of 
 pleasure. I borrowed from Miss Gladys one day as 
 she will remember a photograph of your honored 
 father, and I took the liberty of having a large paint- 
 ing made from it. I think ' ' 
 
 While speaking, he had been unwrapping the par- 
 cel, and as the life-like portrait was now fairly ex- 
 posed to view, Gladys gave a stifled cry, and turning 
 hastily away, left the room. Poor Mr. Crescent be- 
 came all manner of colors; then, taking up the pic- 
 ture, he laid it with its face to the wall. 
 
 "I am really much distressed," he began. "My 
 carelessness 
 
 But Endora interrupted him, the tears in her eyes. 
 
 "Don't think so for one moment, Mr. Crescent," 
 she said earnestly, laying an appealing hand upon 
 his arm. ' 'You are always too kind. It is only that 
 Gladys has been troubled about something of late 
 we do not know what it is and everything seems to 
 bring it to her mind. She will get over it I am sure 
 she will and then this portrait will be as great a 
 comfort to her as it is now to Bdna and me. It is so, 
 so like him; he looks just as he did that last time I saw 
 him on the steamer. ' ' 
 
 And Kdna, also moved to tears, thanked him most 
 heartily. But he remained sad and abstracted, though 
 evidently making an effort to be otherwise. In about 
 fifteen minutes, Gladys returned, cold and calm as 
 ever. 
 
 "Forgive me, Mr. Crescent," she said, in her usual 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 85 
 
 tones, ' ' and believe me I am most grateful for your 
 kindness. I shall not be so foolish again. ' ' 
 
 Mr. Crescent brightened up at once, and a pleasant 
 hour followed. 
 
 "Now, Miss Edna," he said, handing her a square 
 white paper parcel, * 'here is something for your special 
 benefit. Being the 'baby,' this is your rightful pos- 
 session." 
 
 Edna laughingly opened it, and such a tempting ar- 
 ray of French bonbons of all shapes and colors met her 
 eye! 
 
 "O thank you," she exclaimed. "This is lovely! 
 and just what we needed to complete our Christmas 
 festivities! I never used to feel as if it were really 
 Christmas, unless I had a big box of chocolates. You 
 must help us eat them. ' ' 
 
 By and bye, the Warringsford children came in 
 again. Eudora and Gabrielle had become firm friends, 
 even in this brief period, while L,ogan was Edna's 
 devoted admirer. 
 
 "Grandma says, won't you come over and see our 
 Christmas tree," said Gabrielle, "since you wouldn't 
 come last night, when all the people were there? It 
 isn't quite so nice as it was last night, but there are 
 lots of pretty things on it still. Please make them 
 come, Mr. Crescent." 
 
 "Indeed, I don't think we need any persuasion, 
 Gabrielle," said Eudora. "Do we girls? Only" 
 and she hesitated as she glanced at Mr. Crescent. 
 
 "O, I shall certainly accompany you, Miss Eudora, 
 if I may be allowed the pleasure. I have already 
 seen the tree, but shall be delighted to make a more 
 
86 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 thorough examination. Young ladies, I am at your 
 disposal. ' ' 
 
 Gabrielle and Logan jumped about with delight, 
 and the girls went to put on their hats. Then all 
 proceeded to the other house, where they were warmly 
 welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Warringsford, while Mr. 
 Ernest passed the compliments of the season with his 
 usual grave politeness. After a short conversation, 
 they were ushered into the back drawing-room, where 
 the tall, stately tree had been relighted for their 
 benefit. 
 
 Many beautiful articles still hung from its branches. 
 The decorations were numerous and costly, including 
 French confections of various kinds. When all had 
 been duly admired and exclaimed over, Mr. Warrings- 
 ford said, laughingly: "It seems to me there are 
 names on some of those articles. Suppose we investi- 
 gate." 
 
 Holding up a pretty little white box, he read the 
 label, "Miss Edna, from Logan," and cutting it off, 
 he presented it to her. Then he detached a similar 
 one for Eudora, from Gabrielle; and still another for 
 Gladys, from nobody in particular, it appeared. This 
 last box contained an exquisite mourning pin, set with 
 tiny pearls the very thing that suited Gladys' fastid- 
 ious taste, and for which she had especially wished, in 
 order to complete her dress. Not knowing whom to 
 thank, she gave general thanks, no one in especial ap- 
 pearing to receive them. 
 
 Eudora 's and Edna's presents were also pins much 
 simpler, of delicate Mexican filigree silver work very 
 dainty and pretty. Then each had a handsome box 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 87 
 
 of chocolates, and fancy bonbons of various descrip- 
 tions. 
 
 ' 'Well, we are laden !' ' exclaimed Edna. Thank you 
 all, so much." And of course Gladys and Kudora 
 joined in the thanks. 
 
 Then they were invited into the dining-room, where 
 oyster soup, lobster salad, ices and other delicacies 
 were served This was a complete surprise, as Ga- 
 brielle, in her invitation, had said nothing of a supper. 
 
 "I was just determined," said Mrs. Warringsford, 
 "that you should have at least one meal with us on 
 Christmas day. I quite understand your not wishing 
 to come to dinner, as we had company then; but I 
 knew there was no reason for your not joining us to- 
 night. So forgive my little surprise party, will you 
 not, my dear girls?" 
 
 It was impossible not to enjoy such genial hospi- 
 tality. Kven Gladys cast all gloom aside, and exerted 
 herself to be as agreeable as she well knew how to be. 
 Kdna watched Kudora now and then while the latter 
 was conversing with Mr. Krnest, anxious to know her 
 impression of him, and whether her sister admired 
 him as she did herself. Kudora had met him several 
 times, but they never had held any special conversa- 
 tion. This was therefore the first time that she felt 
 at all acquainted with him. 
 
 Gabrielle hung about her father, listening quietly to 
 th*e conversation, with the interest of an intelligent, 
 well-bred child. 
 
 At ten o'clock, Mr. Crescent escorted Gladys and 
 Kdna home; Gabrielle delighted that for once she was 
 awake when Kudora was there, and enjoying the 
 
88 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 prospect of a little chat while both were preparing for 
 bed. Scarcely, however, had the child's head touched 
 the pillow, when, tired out with the unusual excite- 
 ment and late hour, she had fallen asleep. Then 
 Eudora was left free to pursue the meditation to which 
 to-night she felt more than usually inclined. 
 
 It had been, on the whole, a happy Christmas-day. 
 To be sure, the cloud of Gladys' mysterious sorrow 
 still rested upon them, but faith rested in the assurance 
 of the "all things" working for good, and saw the sun 
 shining beyond. And for herself? Had ever such 
 a Christmas dawned before? A few days previously 
 she had somewhere noticed a little poem of which one 
 of the verses ran: 
 
 " O day of time, how dark! O sky and earth, 
 
 How dull your hue! 
 
 O day of Christ, how bright! O sky and earth, 
 Made fair and new!" 
 
 It was all true, indeed, but not in the sense the poet 
 had in view. Formerly, her life might have been de- 
 scribed as a "day of time" a day of earth, liable to 
 storms, darkness and clouds, tossed about with every 
 wind that blew, nothing dependable, nothing anchored, 
 nothing fixed. True, she had long ago accepted the 
 Lord to be her Savior, her Master, her King. She had 
 prayed to Him daily, and in some vague manner had 
 believed that, away up in His far-off Heaven, He heard 
 her prayers; that, in some vague way or other, she 
 was helped and perhaps kept from special harm in 
 fact, she would have been afraid not to pray. But it 
 was as a duty that could not safely be left undone; a 
 part and parcel of the Christian vows she had assumed, 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 89 
 
 a cold, perfunctory, lifeless, though, as far as her light 
 went, faithful performance of the promises she had 
 made to her God and herself all was vague, unsatis- 
 factory, uncertain. 
 
 Now, it was the "day of Christ." Through His 
 Holy Spirit, He had Himself come to dwell within 
 her heart to be her constant Companion, her Guide, 
 her Counselor, her close familiar Friend. Now, He 
 was so near that a whisper reached His ever-listening 
 ear consciously reached it, so that she watched for the 
 answer, which never failed to come. And as each an- 
 swer came, Faith took an ever higher, ever bolder 
 stand, and what would once have been regarded 
 as the boldest presumption, had now become the daily 
 'attitude of her watching heart. 
 
 "O day of Christ, how bright!" she joyfully whis- 
 pered; then, singing her nightly song, she fell asleep. 
 
90 A BUSINKSS VKNTURE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Sunday afternoon came, and Eudora was all ready 
 for her class. Gabrielle, to whom she had confided 
 her plan, and who had eagerly entered into it, had 
 found a long, low bench stored away in the barn, and 
 had had it carried into the little kitchen, where it just 
 filled one side of the board wall. She had also brought 
 over a small basket filled with animal crackers ''for 
 maybe, Miss Eudora, they will like better to come if 
 they get something to eat. You know you said I 
 could be your assistant if the class should grow large; 
 and grandma said this might be my part of the busi- 
 ness." 
 
 The two were fast becoming firm friends, and Mrs. 
 Warringsford had every day reason to rejoice that it 
 was so, as Eudora' s influence told more and more upon 
 the little girl's impressionable nature. 
 
 About two o'clock, exactly one hour before the time 
 fixed, a knock came to the back door, and without 
 waiting for an invitation, three children pushed their 
 way in. Tony leading, as one who had the right of 
 way, his little sister, 'Meely Amelia closely follow- 
 ing, while bringing up the rear, in a hesitating, shame- 
 faced manner, came a tangle-haired, dilapidated-look- 
 ing twelve-year old boy "just to please the little 
 chap," he explained, when Eudora spoke to him, 
 '"cause he wanted me so bad to come; but 'taint going 
 to do no good. ' ' 
 
 Tony's eyes flashed defiance, and his fist would 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 9! 
 
 doubtless have been raised in challenge of this bold 
 denial of his teacher's ability, only his arms were 
 again full, though this time the baby was sound 
 asleep. 
 
 "She's drunk agin, bein' Sunday," he announced, 
 "an' I knowed the young 'un would holler when he 
 wokened up, so I fetched him along. I don't take no 
 stock in him, an' I wisht he'd never been borned, but 
 I do mortal hate to hear him yell. ' ' 
 
 With which logical explanation, he was about to lay 
 the child on the bare floor in the corner, when Gladys, 
 who had entered at that moment for a glass of water, 
 took him out of the boy's arms, and, carrying him to 
 the sitting-room, laid him gently down upon the sofa. 
 Then she prepared some bread and milk to have ready 
 for his waking. 
 
 Eudora's first experience at teaching, a mission 
 class as this might be called was something to be 
 remembered. Such dense ignorance as to religious 
 truths she had never even imagined, and it seemed to 
 her at the end of the hour that she had not made 
 the faintest impression, except in the way of surprise. 
 But the ground had to be broken up before the seed 
 could be sown ; that this was being done might pos- 
 sibly have been inferred from the remarks of the big 
 boy to Tony, just after leaving: "Wall, I never 
 heard the likes afore! I feel as ef I was standin' on 
 me head instead of me feet. I dunno what's it all 
 about!" 
 
 "I told you so, Jim! " returned Tony, triumphantly. 
 "I knowed she'd puzzle you out an' out. /dunno 
 neither! She's awful smart, she is." 
 
92 A BUSINESS VENTURE OR, 
 
 Nevertheless, both boys, for the rest of the day, re- 
 frained from using many bad words which had become 
 to them as their native language, with an instinctive 
 feeling that their teacher would not like it, although 
 neither could have given any reason for his action. 
 And Kudora! Two years ago, she would have con- 
 sidered her attempt as a total failure, and would have 
 been tempted to give up in despair. Now she thanked 
 God that she had been permitted to teach even the 
 least of His little ones; and feeling that she had faith- 
 fully striven to do her best, she gave over the re- 
 sponsibility for results into the hands of Him who had 
 undertaken that part of the contract, assured that 
 there could be no failure there. It is the endeavor to 
 take both God's part and theirs upon their own weak 
 shoulders that breaks down prematurely so many 
 earnest workers, and often lays them in their graves 
 before their day is fully ended. 
 
 One month had passed since the girls' new life had 
 begun; and aided by their friend and business director, 
 Mr. Crescent, they took a financial view of the situa- 
 tion. The summing-up at first sight was satisfactory. 
 They had made their living, rent included, had 
 covered the interest from their investment, and had 
 even laid in a small supply of a few things lacking; 
 but that was all. And then, as Mr. Crescent re- 
 luctantly reminded them, this having been Christmas 
 month, their sales were nearly the double of what they 
 must ordinarily expect. They would also need to lay 
 in a fresh supply of many small articles, which, when 
 they bought the stock, had been practically thrown 
 into the bargain. Besides, no allowance had been 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 93 
 
 made for clothes, which, sooner or later, must wear 
 ou t nor for possible repairs, nor for unforeseen cir- 
 cumstances of any kind. After all, it was not entirely 
 satisfactory, at least to the far-seeing eyes of their 
 friend, and he looked somewhat grave at the close of 
 their investigations. 
 
 "You have done very well indeed, young ladies," 
 he said, assuming a cheerful tone, "and have managed 
 your finances remarkably well for such novices in 
 housekeeping and storekeeping, and in the art of not 
 spending money. But still, while there is no de- 
 ficiency this month you have even a small balance in 
 the treasury still, we can hardly expect the same 
 amount sold during the coming months, and we must 
 consider some way of adding to the income. ' ' 
 
 "I have been thinking for some time past," said 
 Eudora, "that three of us were too many to manage 
 this one little house and store. But I wanted to see 
 Gladys and Edna well started before I turned my at- 
 tention elsewhere." 
 
 Gladys gave a startled look, and Edna exclaimed 
 ' 'why Eudora, your education has not been one particle 
 more practical than Gladys' or mine, and I don't see 
 what you could do!" 
 
 "O, yes," said Gladys, smiling, "Eudora had one 
 practical accomplishment beyond what you or I could 
 boast of. Don' t you remember, when Mademoiselle used 
 to hunt up our old clothes to give us to take to those 
 poor families, Eudora, how beautifully you patched 
 and mended them so that we said they looked almost 
 as good as new? Unfortunately, however, that ac- 
 complishment is not likely to be of any service to 
 
94 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 us at least, not in the present whole condition of our 
 wardrobes!" 
 
 "Is it not?" said Eudora, quietly. "That is pre- 
 cisely the accomplishment with which I propose to eke 
 out our slender finances. ' ' 
 
 "Not really!" exclaimed Kdna. Gladys was silent, 
 and Mr. Crescent gave Eudora a half inquiring, half 
 amused look. 
 
 "Yes, really, Edna. I have been considering for 
 some time past what I could do, but nothing seemed 
 to suggest itself. The other evening, Mrs. Warrings- 
 ford was looking over the children's clothes, as they 
 had come from the laundry, and she showed me a 
 large tear on one of Logan's new white suits, and 
 various rents in both the children's clothes. She re- 
 marked that Mary, the nurse, ought to be able to keep 
 them in order, but that she was not gifted in that re- 
 spect, and she was such a faithful, devoted woman, 
 that it did not seem desirable to make a change. 'If I 
 could only find some one,' she said, 'to come once a 
 week, to look over the clean clothes, and do whatever 
 mending should be needed for the household in gen- 
 eral, but especially for the children!' Then my former 
 talents in that line rushed into my head, and at once 
 I asked Mrs. Warringsford to let me try if I could not 
 manage to suit her. She was somewhat surprised, I 
 suppose, but the end of the matter is, that I am to 
 spend every Friday there, overhauling the family 
 wardrobe ; and Mrs. Warringsford has undertaken to 
 procure me a similar position in several of her friends' 
 families. ' ' 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 95 
 
 "Eudora!" exclaimed Kdna, in a half comic, half 
 earnest manner, ' 'what are you bringing us to ? 
 
 "To comfort and prosperity, I hope, dear," replied 
 Eudora, playfully; but she looked somewhat anxiously 
 at Gladys. To the surprise of all their aristocratic 
 sister made no demur. If anything more than another 
 could have marked the change in Gladys, it was this. 
 Kduora and Edna would have preferred having her 
 exclaim and protest as of old, rather than to see the 
 cold indifference with which she received the intelli- 
 gence. 
 
 "I cannot see why Eudora should not do as she 
 pleases," she said calmly "Why should sewing be 
 any worse than keeping store ? We have to live, and I 
 don't think anything matters much." 
 
 Mr. Crescent gave her a scrutinizing, puzzled look, 
 then said, in an uncertain way, "I am sure, Miss 
 Eudora, your resolution is most laudable. I ex- 
 tremely regret there being any necessity for such a 
 step, but well, since it must be taken, you could 
 have no better starting-place for your undertaking, 
 than in the home of our mutual friend, Mrs. Warrings- 
 ford." 
 
 "I am sure of that, Mr. Crescent," said Eudora. 
 "She is indeed a friend, and I am very grateful to 
 her for her kindness to all of us. I have very little 
 doubt as to the success of my undertaking, for, as the 
 girls say, I have really a gift in that line, and I am 
 truly thankful for the opportunity of putting it in 
 practice. ' ' 
 
 "Well," said Gladys, slowly, "I also have had an 
 offer" Mr. Crescent started, and looked at her 
 
96 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 anxiously. "Mrs. Warringsford has asked me to 
 teach lyOgan for a couple of hours every day. I told 
 her I did not think he would learn anything, but she 
 insists on my at least making the attempt, and if I am 
 successful she will procure me some other children of 
 the same age in the neighborhood." 
 
 "Very good indeed," said Mr. Crescent, gleefully. 
 "That is the very thing, Miss Gladys ! I am quite 
 sure you will succeed. This is very good news in- 
 deed!" 
 
 "Yes, I think it will just suit you," said Kudora, 
 privately delighted at the prospect of there being any- 
 thing to divert Gladys' mind from her haunting grief. 
 "You were always the most patient of us three. 
 Mademoiselle used to say, when we would become 
 discouraged at some specially knotty lesson, 'look at 
 your sister, Miss Gladys, she is the perseverance and 
 patience itself.' ' 
 
 ' 'And sarcastic, ' ' interrupted Gladys. ' 'You forget 
 the many times she would say, 'do not be so sarcastic, 
 Miss Gladys. Sarcasm is not becoming to a lady. ' ' ' 
 
 "O well," said Eudora, "that is a thing of the past ; 
 and I am convinced, with Mr. Orescent, that you will 
 succeed admirably with young children." 
 
 "So am I," said Edna. "Why, girls, our fortunes 
 are looking up we are in the fair way of becoming 
 millionaires ! So the store will be left mainly in my 
 hands, and I mean to -set my wits to work to make it 
 a roaring success. ' ' 
 
 Edna hoped that Gladys would correct her unlady- 
 like expression, as of old, but she was disappointed. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 97 
 
 It was evident that Gladys did not care enough for 
 anything, even to find fault. 
 
 "When do your new duties commence, Miss 
 Gladys?" asked Mr. Crescent. 
 
 , "On Monday next. This is Wednesday, and I did 
 not care to begin in the middle of the week." 
 
 After a little more conversation, Mr. Crescent took 
 his leave. Then Edna said, "Really, Kudora, I did 
 not want to say much before Mr. Crescent, but I do 
 seriously wish you had not undertaken the position of 
 mender of old clothes. It does seem an unnecessary 
 lowering of the family. ' ' 
 
 "My dear little sister," said Eudora, pleasantly, 
 "you are not regarding it in the right light. In the 
 first place, this is an age when a woman can engage 
 in almost any kind of honest work, and yet hold her 
 own with sensible people. The fact of a man having 
 been at any time in his life at the very foot of the 
 social ladder is no drawback to him, and it is rapidly 
 becoming the case with women. Of course, it is not 
 precisely what I would have chosen for myself. But 
 for some time past I had foreseen that this little store 
 would not maintain us all, and had been praying for 
 some way to open by which I could add to our income. 
 So I knew the way would open, and was watching my 
 opportunity. When it came I recognized it as the 
 answer to my prayer, and felt as sure that it was 
 God-sent as I am sure of anything. Therefore, dear, 
 I did not dare to refuse it ; and if I do this humble 
 work well and faithfully, doubtless He will, in his own 
 good time, give me something better." 
 
 On Friday morning Eudora began her new duties. 
 
98 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 Mrs. Warringsford informed her that she had pro- 
 cured her a similar position in three families among 
 her acquaintances. Then she hesitated a little, and 
 finally said: "You must try not to mind, my dear, if 
 among these people you find some snobbish enough to 
 treat you coldly on account of your work. This is 
 inevitable among those to whom money is the chief 
 good in life, and who have not refinement and cultiva- 
 tion enough in themselves to be capable of recognizing 
 them in others." 
 
 "I am quite well aware of this, Mrs. Warringsford, 
 but I have counted the cost, and I don't think I shall 
 mind it much. I can at least try it, and if I do my 
 work well, I hardly think the rest will matter much." 
 
 But Kudora fared better than Mrs. Warringsford 
 feared. Her dignity compelled respect, and her sweet 
 face and manners, together with her aristocratic de- 
 meanor, commanded admiration everywhere. Even 
 those who began otherwise gradually fell into the way 
 of treating her as an equal, following the lead of Mrs. 
 Warringsford, who constantly spoke of her as her 
 friend, and who took her out driving or walking with 
 herself whenever opportunity offered, or Kudora 
 could be induced to go. Besides, the spirit of the age 
 was working, though slowly, and a self-supporting 
 woman who did her duty and maintained her dignity 
 could never now be looked down upon as formerly, 
 unless by the wholly ignorant. 
 
 A week passed, and Gladys was becoming much 
 interested in her new employment. I^ogan was an 
 ordinarily bright boy, full of life and spirits, but 
 under perfect control, so that Gladys found no dim- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 99 
 
 culty in his management. He had not even learned 
 his alphabet thoroughly, but Gladys, following the 
 method by which she had herself been taught, plunged 
 him at once into easy reading, surprising both him and 
 herself by the speedy results. After awhile, to be 
 sure, when lessons ceased to be a novelty, progress 
 seemed slower and more tedious; still it was progress, 
 and, so far, satisfactory. Before long, three more 
 boys were added to the class; and, on the whole, 
 Gladys enjoyed teaching them as much, at least, as 
 was possible in her present frame of mind. 
 
 Edna was delighted to have the store so completely 
 in her own hands. She learned to make many little 
 fancy articles attractive to children; while Gladys, in 
 her leisure hours, painted California scenes upon slabs 
 of orange or other native woods, which, if there were 
 at present no sale for them, could be laid aside for the 
 following Christmas. But occasionally a transient 
 visitor would make a purchase. This was almost 
 clear gain, as well as the other fancy articles of their 
 own make. 
 
TOO A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Shortly after Kudora's arrival from Europe, Edna, 
 with her usual keen-sightedness, had noticed that her 
 sister watched closely the hour for the postman, as if 
 she were specially expecting letters. Often one would 
 come from Aunt Julia, but the very next day Eudora 
 would watch just the same, and Edna came to the 
 conclusion that a letter was looked for, which so far 
 had failed to materialize. One day, shortly after the 
 girls had entered upon their new duties, a long letter 
 from Aunt Julia arrived. It was addressed to Eudora, 
 who, being at the moment engaged in sewing, handed 
 it to Gladys, with the request that she would read it 
 aloud. It was late afternoon, and the three girls were 
 together in their sitting-room, with the door open be- 
 tween it and the store, so that Edna could be on the 
 watch for customers. Aunt Julia told about her hus- 
 band's health being improved, the children well, and 
 business matters more satisfactory. After some further 
 general news, the writer proceeded: "By the bye, Eu- 
 dora, I have something to tell you about your special 
 friend, Mr. Archeret." Edna, happening just then to 
 look at Eudora, saw her color change, and thought 
 her hands trembled, but of this last she was not quite 
 sure. ' 'At least, I supposed him to be a special friend, 
 though I did not say any thing to you about it in- 
 deed, at one time, your uncle and I really thought you 
 were both drifting into something warmer than friend- 
 ship. How glad I am we were mistaken, and that, 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. IOI 
 
 after all, there was nothing in it. Not two weeks 
 after you left, the gentleman began paying attention 
 to a very wealthy German widow, and last week he 
 married her the general verdict being that he mar- 
 ried her fortune, not herself." 
 
 "Why, Kudora! " exclaimed Gladys; "you never 
 told us any thing about this gentleman." 
 
 In some things, Gladys was not so quick in ob- 
 servation as Edna, and even now did not remark the 
 deep flush overspreading Eudora 's countenance 
 shortly receding, and leaving her of marble pallor. 
 
 "As you see," she said, slowly, "there was nothing 
 to tell." 
 
 But her voice sounded strangely even to Gladys, 
 who looked up quickly; then, as Eudora went calmly 
 on with her sewing, forgot about it the next instant, 
 and went on reading aloud the letter. The moment 
 it was ended, Edna escaped into the kitchen, without 
 again looking at Eudora. There she clenched her 
 fists, and hit at an imaginary foe. 
 
 "The wretch!" she said to herself. "To think of 
 any one slighting our beautiful, darling sister! The 
 mercenary, cold-hearted villain! Of course, he heard 
 about father's failure; and her leaving so suddenly 
 gave him a chance to slip out of the affair before he 
 had fairly committed himself. Because, if they had 
 been engaged, she would of cour.se have told Aunt 
 Julia and us, too! And that poor dear! Expecting 
 every day a letter from him, and being disappointed! 
 It's a good thing she found it out in time, though! 
 But here she is broken-hearted and Gladys just as 
 bad from some other cause! And, whatever I'm to do 
 
102 A BUSINESS VENTURE}; OR, 
 
 with the two of them, I am sure I don't know! Eu- 
 dora won't sing her little song to-night poor, dear, 
 beautiful darling." 
 
 Then she hit out right and left, harder than ever, 
 with some vague wish that the head of her victim 
 were somewhere within reach; thereby exhibiting a 
 decided lack of a meek and lowly spirit! 
 
 ' 'What in the world are you about, Edna? " exclaimed 
 Gladys, coming suddenly in upon her. "Are you 
 crazy, or what is the matter?" 
 
 "Only a little ebullition of feeling," replied Kdna, 
 calming down at once. She had no intention of be- 
 traying Eudora, knowing instinctively that the trouble 
 would be harder to bear if suspected by her sister, 
 and that pity at such a moment would be well-nigh 
 unbearable. Edna was brusque and outspoken, often 
 speaking indiscreetly in her thoughtless haste, but in 
 certain matters she had more delicacy of perception 
 than even Gladys. 
 
 ' 'And may I ask what brought about this ebulli- 
 tion?" inquired her sister. 
 
 "Yes, you may ask, if you think it worth while," 
 replied Edna, saucily, "but you won't get any an- 
 swer." 
 
 And there the matter dropped, for Gladys, with her 
 usual indifference, thought nothing more about it. 
 
 And did Eudora sing her little song that night? 
 She did indeed. But, let it be confessed, the tears 
 were falling fast as she said it, and though she knew 
 in her heart that goodness and mercy had followed 
 her all this day, even to its sad conclusion, yet the 
 cloudy side of the pillar had its face turned towards 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 103 
 
 her, and she could not yet see through the gloom to 
 the glory on the other side. She remembered once 
 during her sojourn with those Christian friends to 
 whom she owed so much, their giving counsel to one 
 who came to them in great distress of mind. ' 'You 
 say that the gladness of earth has gone from you 
 forever. Well, now, begin and say to yourself pa- 
 tiently, persistently, whenever the thought comes by 
 night or by day 'I am glad in the L,ord, I am glad 
 in the Ix>rd.'" "But I am not glad in anything or 
 in anyway," the person replied, "and it seems a cruel 
 mockery to say it." "This sorrow has not changed 
 your relations to your L,ord," they said. "In your in- 
 nermost being, you do still rejoice in Him, although 
 this present cloud of sorrow is so dense that it covers 
 all the sunshine of your sky. And yet the sunshine 
 is really there; you are only declaring what you know 
 to be true, though you do not now feel it." 
 
 And Budora remembered hearing them say how that, 
 two or three weeks after, the person came to them 
 with a radiant face, which alone told the story. "For 
 long days together I went about, with a heart like 
 lead; and I said the words, with a lump in my throat, 
 and with fast-falling tears said them night and 
 day patiently, persistently, despairingly. Suddenly, 
 one day, the light streamed through, the burden rolled 
 away, and the very peace of God has come into my 
 heart to abide there, I verily believe, forever." 
 
 Then Eudora remembered what she herself had said 
 to Edna only a few days previously, when the latter 
 had been in somewhat of a complaining, grumbling 
 mood. "Begin by giving thanks for everything, little 
 
104 A BUSINESS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 sister, and you will soon find everything to give thanks 
 for." 
 
 Was there no matter of thanksgiving here? Yes, 
 even to human vision. Nothing had definitely passed 
 between them how much harder then would the trial 
 have been ! How good that she had been saved from 
 the fate of having actually joined her life to one whom, 
 all too late, she would have found unworthy ! And 
 so she then and there began to thank her Lord ; and 
 with thanksgiving on her lips she fell asleep. The 
 morning light indeed dawned coldly and drearily for 
 her waking ; the spring of hope that had hitherto 
 made duty wear the guise of pleasure had broken, and 
 her walk was now on stony ground ; but her feet were 
 shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and 
 no unnecessary hurt would be hers. Calm was her 
 countenance when she joined her sisters, but Edna 
 noticed that its radiance had departed and that her 
 steps were slow and weary. Gladys' mood was now 
 so habitually a dreamy one that she seldom noticed 
 anything, yet for a moment at the breakfast table 
 Kudora's lack of animation seemed to strike her, and 
 she asked her if she felt well. "Quite well, thank 
 you," was the reply, and Gladys was satisfied. Not 
 so Edna. Far rather would she have seen her sister 
 with tearful eyes and outspoken grief than with that 
 calm, pale quiet so white, so still. 
 
 "No, she did not sing her little song last night," 
 she decided. "She could not, if she feels like that." 
 
 Suddenly Eudora looked up, and catching Edna's 
 eyes fixed upon her with a peculiar expression, she 
 felt, with a pang, that her secret was at least sus- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 105 
 
 pected. Realizing how much this would add to her 
 burden, she roused herself to enter into conversation, 
 even relating some amusing details of her German 
 adventures ; so that, by the time breakfast was over, 
 Edna began to feel that perhaps she had been mis- 
 taken, and that her imagination had led her into 
 serious error. Still, as day after day passed, and 
 Kudora's heart-happy looks had not returned, though 
 her countenance was calm as ever, Edna took back 
 her former opinion to a certain extent, feeling sure 
 that some damage had been done, though perhaps not 
 so much as she at first had feared. 
 
 Meanwhile, outwardly all was prosperous. Gladys' 
 class now numbered six, and she was also giving draw- 
 ing lessons to Gabrielle. The little store was becoming 
 well known in the neighborhood. Many customers 
 were attracted at first from curiosity to see the brave 
 young girls who had so suddenly been plunged 
 from affluence into dire poverty. In many cases, 
 interest took the place of curiosity, and Edna felt 
 that she was rapidly making friends at least ac- 
 quaintances, who might one day become friends. Then 
 Eudora's services were coming more and more into 
 requisition as her value became known. People began 
 to find out that their children's clothes were so skill- 
 fully repaired, and even turned and altered, that the 
 expense of having her was more than made up by the 
 fewer clothes needed. Often she would spend a whole 
 day in one family ; and finally all her days were em- 
 ployed with the exception of Saturday, which she 
 reserved for the use of her own household. Her 
 mission class increased from week to week, so much 
 
106 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 so that the problem arose how to accommodate them 
 all in that little room. Here her faithful assistant, 
 Gabrielle, came to the rescue. "Miss Kudora," she 
 said, on one of the nights upon which she was still 
 awake when her friend came over, "I have a splendid 
 plan in my head." 
 
 ' 'Have you, dear ? May I ask what it is ? " 
 
 "Why you know, Miss Kudora, that our mission- 
 class is getting too large to hold in that tiny room 
 it's a very nice room," Gabrielle hastened to add, fear- 
 ful of hurting her friend's feelings she was improv- 
 ing in this direction "but you know it is small." 
 
 "Yes," assented Budora, "there is no denying that 
 fact ; and I have been thinking what we could do 
 about it. I don't like to turn any of those poor chil- 
 dren away, and yet " 
 
 ' 'You won't, ' ' interrupted Gabrielle, gleefully. ' 'You 
 won't have to turn any away! We can take a whole 
 lot more, too! There's a room that was built on one 
 side of the barn for the coachman to sleep in ; but it 
 has been used instead for a sort of lumber-room, and 
 it's full of tools and boxes and trunks, and O all 
 sorts of trash. Well, to-day I told Grandma what a 
 time we had to crowd those children in, and I asked 
 her if we couldn't have that room. She went right 
 out to look at it, and she said all those things could be 
 put into the harness-room next the stable. She will 
 have it attended to to-morrow, she said, and have it 
 all cleaned out, and O, won't it be nice? " 
 
 "Yes, indeed," replied Eudora. "It is very kind of 
 your Grandma to take so much trouble about it, and I 
 have no doubt it will be just the thing." 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 107 
 
 There was a pause. ' ' Miss Eudora. ' ' ' 'Yes, Gabfi- 
 elle." 
 
 "You don't seem so happy about it as I thought you 
 would be." 
 
 "Don't I, dear? But I am pleased, and very grate- 
 ful to my little assistant for taking so much interest 
 and trouble in the matter." Another pause. 
 
 "Miss Eudora, you don't seem so so jolly as you 
 used to be." 
 
 Eudora was somewhat startled and surprised ; she 
 had not given Gabrielle credit for being of an observ- 
 ing nature, and had had no idea that any change in 
 her appearance or manner had been noticed by the 
 child. So it was perhaps with a little vexation 
 that she replied, "Gabrielle, you had better go to 
 sleep, instead of lying there imagining things about 
 people." But even as she said the words, her con- 
 science rebuked her for even intimating that there was 
 no truth in the little girl's remarks. 
 
 "O but, Miss Eudora, it's not imagination at least, 
 /did not imagine it. I heard Gradma say so to Grandpa 
 the other day. She said you looked pale and unspirited, 
 and that now there " 
 
 "Gabrielle," interposed Eudora firmly, "it is very 
 wrong to repeat to persons anything you hear said of 
 them, if they are not intended to know it. So don't 
 do it again, dear. And as to me, I have had a good 
 deal to try me of late, and am not so jolly as you ex- 
 press it as I used to be. But that will pass away, 
 and I shall be like myself again. And in the mean- 
 time, Gabrielle, don't speak of this to anyone. I am 
 
io8 
 
 A BUSINESS VKNTURE ; OR, 
 
 sure, if I ask this of you, I can trust you to do as I 
 wish." 
 
 "Indeed you can, Miss Kudora. I'll never say a 
 single word to anyone, not even to Grandma." 
 
 "Thank you, dear. And now good night, and 
 pleasant dreams." 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. log 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The next day, when Eudora returned from her 
 duties, Gabrielle ran over, begging her to come and 
 see how she liked their new mission room. Logan 
 was with her, and nothing would do him but that 
 Gladys must come too; .so both accompanied the chil- 
 dren. With a look of triumph, Gabrielle threw open 
 the door, then stepped back while the girls went in; 
 and she and Logan followed to watch the effect. 
 
 "Why, this is charming!" exclaimed Eudora. "I 
 am indeed surprised, Gabrielle! " 
 
 "I should think so!" said Gladys. "It is quite 
 nice enough to live in." 
 
 "That's what I said," laughed Gabrielle jumping 
 up and down in delight. "I never guessed myself it 
 would be so nice! " 
 
 "What are you so happy about, little daughter?" 
 said a voice behind them; and the girls turned to 
 greet Mr. Ernest, who stood in the doorway. 
 
 "O papa!" exclaimed Gabrielle, springing to his 
 side. "Isn't this a lovely room for our class ? Miss 
 Eudora's class and mine, you know our mission 
 class." 
 
 "Indeed, I was not aware of the fact that Miss 
 Grayston and yourself were in partnership in a 
 benevolent scheme," replied the gentleman with his 
 usual grave smile. "I should have supposed that my 
 
110 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 little daughter needed instruction herself instead of 
 her teaching others." 
 
 "O, but papa, I don't teach; I help sing, and give 
 around crackers and such things, you know. And I 
 am taught myself, for I go to Sunday School in the 
 morning; and then I learn a great deal from what 
 Miss Eudora teaches the children. And O papa, 
 they're so funny, some of them! They did not know 
 anything when they first came, and now some of them 
 are getting to know a good deal. You must come and 
 listen some day, and then you'll see for yourself." 
 
 "If Miss Grayston will second your kind invita- 
 tion, little daughter, I shall be most happy to accept." 
 
 And he bent his dark eyes inquiringly upon Hudora, 
 who laughingly evaded the question, and turned all 
 her attention to examination of the room. A small 
 table in the center, several wooden benches against the 
 walls, with two chairs for the teachers a blackboard, 
 pretty white muslin curtains draped at the two win- 
 dows, and a wide strip of carpet across the middle of 
 the floor, completed the furnishings. 
 
 "It is indeed a charming room," said Eudora. 
 1 'We must try to fill it, Gabrielle." 
 
 lyOgan had been looking on with a dissatisfied air 
 after the first few minutes. 
 
 "What is the matter, little man? " asked his father, 
 taking him up in his arms. "Does this fine apart- 
 ment not meet with your approval ? " 
 
 "Why, papa we're awfully crowded in our room 
 over there, and nobody gives us a room to have our 
 lessons in and and I don't like it! " he added with 
 a burst of tears. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. Ill 
 
 "Well, little son, neither would papa like it," said 
 his father, kissing the wet cheeks. "And why, Miss 
 Grayston, why cannot this room do for you likewise 
 since the mission class only occupies it on Sunday ? " 
 
 "Indeed, it would do very well, Mr. Warringsford, 
 I am sure. I had thought of it just before L,ogan 
 spoke. But possibly Mrs. Warringsford may not like 
 to have the children tramping daily through her 
 grounds." 
 
 "Indeed, she has no objection," said that lady, who 
 just now entered, "to their going through the very 
 small part of the grounds which alone would be nec- 
 essary. You know, Miss Gladys, they can enter your 
 back gate as hitherto, and come through the side path, 
 which, as you see, is only a short distance from this 
 room. No, I am not at all afraid of your scholars; 
 but Gabrielle must keep guard that no mischief is done 
 by hers" 
 
 "Grandma!" remonstrated the little girl, "you don't 
 know how well they are getting to behave. They 
 wouldn't touch a flower or do a bit of mischief for the 
 world!" 
 
 Kudora was by no means so sure; but she inwardly 
 resolved that she would take good, care no harm should 
 be done! 
 
 "I was intending," said Mrs. Warringsford, "to 
 propose this plan to you, knowing how crowded you 
 must be. Besides, a lady has this moment left me 
 who called to ask if I thought you would be willing to 
 take girls. She has two, of five and seven years, 
 whom she would like to send, and will call on you to- 
 morrow in regard to the matter. They are very nice 
 
112 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 children, and now that want of room is no obstacle, I 
 would advise your giving her an affirmative answer." 
 
 "If you think I can manage so many," began 
 Gladys, doubtfully, "I should, of course, be glad" 
 
 "O yes, Miss Gladys, please take them," inter- 
 posed L,ogan, who had been listening attentively to 
 the conversation. "I like girls, I do and they like 
 me too, they do." 
 
 All laughed, and Mr. Ernest remarked: "I should 
 think that would settle the matter, Miss Grayston. 
 There is surely nothing to be said after that." 
 
 "I suppose not," said Gladys, smiling. ".I can at 
 least try them, and if I do not succeed, I can give 
 them up, I suppose. What do you think, Eudora?" 
 
 ' 'I should certainly try them, Gladys. And do not 
 have any idea of failure. There is no reason you 
 should not succeed, I am sure." 
 
 And so the matter was settled, and on the following 
 Monday, Gladys had eight in her class. It was rather 
 difficult at first to manage. The children were at dif- 
 ferent stages in their progress, and it was not an easy 
 matter for an inexperienced person to arrange so that 
 each child should get the proper amount of instruc- 
 tion. 
 
 At first, Gladys felt discouraged, and at the end 
 of the second day she said to Eudora: "I do believe I 
 shall have to give up. I am really afraid they will 
 not learn anything. While I am teaching one class, 
 the other children are whispering or carrying on in 
 some way or other; and I do not feel as if I were do- 
 ing them justice. I don't want to take money for 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 113 
 
 nothing, or to feel that they would be doing better 
 somewhere else; and I am afraid they would." 
 
 "All you need is experience," replied her sister. 
 1 'At least I think so. You might give those who are 
 not reciting something to write or draw on their slates 
 or on the blackboard. And if they persisted in talk- 
 ing or disturbing the others, I should think you might 
 stand them up in a corner, or some such slight punish- 
 ment; probably you would not have to do it often." 
 
 "But I do so dislike having to punish," said Gladys. 
 
 "Yes, it is not pleasant, but sometimes necessary." 
 Eudora Had had some experience of the kind with her 
 mission class. "Besides, Gladys, you cannot expect 
 to go on smoothly and swimmingly from the very first, 
 you know. Wise people say that real success in any- 
 thing involves previous failure, and that failure is the 
 price paid for ultimate success." 
 
 "Perhaps so," said Gladys. "I shall keep on for 
 the present, but"- 
 
 She sighed wearily as she turned away. And Ku- 
 do ra well knew that her sister's trouble, whatever it 
 might be, had taken the spring of happiness from her 
 work, and made the road extremely hard. She knew 
 because it was now her own experience, and she felt 
 a tenderness towards Gladys, and a sympathy for her, 
 which would formerly have been impossible. 
 
 One night about this time, Eudora had been asleep 
 for two or three hours, when she was roused with a 
 start by the ringing of the bell in her room. She 
 sprang up in terror, for she knew that it would not be 
 rung without urgent cause. Hastily throwing on her 
 dressing-gown and shoes, and without reflecting either 
 
114 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 into what danger she might be running, or remember- 
 ing Mrs. Warringsford's strict injunctions to arouse 
 the family in such a case, she unlocked the side door, 
 and ran over with a beating heart. The door was 
 opened by Edna, who looked tearful and frightened. 
 
 "Hush! " she said, in a low trembling voice. "She 
 does not know I rang the bell, and she is asleep. But 
 O, Eudora, she w r as going on so in her sleep, that I 
 just could not stand it any longer, and had to ring the 
 bell. But I was sorry the moment I did it, for I knew 
 how frightened you would be." 
 
 Eudora sat down quickly, for she felt too faint to 
 stand. It was better than she had feared in one w r ay, 
 for she had imagined that the house had been entered, 
 or an entrance attempted. Yet in another way, it was 
 worse. She had so hoped that Gladys was getting 
 over her trouble, for she had seemed much calmer of 
 late. But now ? 
 
 "What did she say, Edna ? Was she talking in her 
 sleep?" 
 
 "Yes, talking wildly, and tossing her arms about. 
 And just before I rang, she gave a scream O, it was 
 dreadful ! I never saw her so before not so bad, at 
 least, though she often talks in her sleep." 
 
 Just then, Gladys called Edna, and the latter 
 hastened in, begging Eudora not to let Gladys know 
 she was there. 
 
 "Why, Edna! " said Gladys in her own natural tone. 
 "Where have you been? I awoke and was quite 
 frightened not to find you." 
 
 "I was only in the other room," replied Edna, in 
 as careless a tone as possible. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 115 
 
 "I have had such a terrible dream," said Gladys. 
 "I feel all shaken up. But do come to bed, Edna, and I 
 shall get to sleep again without dreaming this time, 
 I hope." 
 
 "I shall be here directly, Gladys." Then slipping 
 back to Eudora and closing the door behind her, she 
 whispered, "she is all right now, Eudora. How sorry 
 I am you were so frightened. But I hardly realized 
 that she was really asleep. It is all right now." 
 
 "Well, good night, dear. I must run back, for in 
 my fright and haste, I left the side door open other- 
 wise I would sleep on the sofa. But I think you will 
 not be frightened again to-night, and to-morrow we 
 will see what is best to be done." 
 
 An affectionate good -night, then Edna w r aited at 
 the door until Eudora was safely in, and after fasten- 
 ing all securely once more, she returned to Gladys. 
 
 No one had heard Eudora leave the house. All 
 was dead silence as she bolted the door and regained 
 her room. For a long time she lay awake considering 
 what was best to be done. Edna was rather young to 
 have such a nightly anxiety as would henceforth be 
 hers, in view of a possible recurrence of the trouble. 
 What could be done? If she should propose to change 
 places with Edna, Gladys might suspect something, 
 and that would only add to her trouble. However, it 
 seemed the only thing to be done, as far as she could 
 now see. If there were any better plan, she was sure 
 it would be suggested to her, as she had put this, with 
 everything else that concerned her, into the hands of 
 her unerring Guide and leader. 
 
 The following morning, Edna looked pale and dis- 
 
Il6 A BUSINKSS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 pirited, Gladys about as usual; but with her large 
 amount of self-control, it was difficult to tell to how 
 much restraint she was subjecting her feelings. Con- 
 versation went on as usual at the table. Suddenly 
 Edna exclaimed: 
 
 "Eudora, why cannot you and I change places 
 for awhile! Turn about is fair play, you know, and I 
 think I should like to go there for the present, if you 
 and Mrs. Warringsford have no objection." 
 
 Thus relieved from the necessity of deciding the 
 matter for herself, Eudora replied : 
 
 "I think it would be a very good plan, Edna. I 
 had thought of it myself if Gladys will consent to 
 the change of partners." 
 
 "I have certainly no objection," replied Gladys. 
 But she gave a rather doubtful glance at both girls. 
 "I believe I screamed last night, for I had frightful 
 dreams. Did you hear me, Edna?" 
 
 "Yes," replied her sister, scarcely knowing what to 
 say. "What did you dream, Gladys?" 
 
 ' 'O, don't ask me. " And Gladys turned so pale, that 
 Edna hastily changed the subject, to which no further 
 allusion was made during breakfast. 
 
 This was Eudora's day for being with Mrs. War- 
 ringsford; she therefore took the opportunity for speak- 
 ing of the proposed change. Mrs. Warringsford looked 
 grave. 
 
 "I have no positive objection, my dear; but Gabrielle 
 will be greatly disappointed, for she has become so 
 much attached to you. May I ask if you have any 
 special reason for the change?" 
 
 Eudora hesitated. She had not intended saying any- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 117 
 
 thing as to causes, but now it seemed best that she 
 should confide, to a certain extent, in this judicious 
 friend. She therefore replied: 
 
 "I have a reason, Mrs. Warringsford. Gladys has 
 not seemed well for some time past, and of late has 
 been troubled in her sleep. This has made Edna 
 rather nervous, so I thought it best that I should stay 
 for the present with Gladys, and have Kdna come 
 here that is, if you are perfectly willing." 
 
 "Certainly, my dear, since you have good reason 
 for the change. Gabrielle will feel a little disappointed 
 at first, but she will soon become accustomed to Edna. 
 Besides, I hope you will shortly return to us. Yes, I 
 have noticed for some time that Miss Gladys was look- 
 ing pale and depressed. You do not consider it any- 
 thing serious, I hope, my dear?" 
 
 "I hardly know, Mrs. Warringsford. Something 
 has evidently happened to distress her, and I do not 
 like to force her confidence. She had seemed better 
 of late, and I had begun to hope she was getting over 
 the trouble, but" 
 
 Eudora's eyes were full of tears, which she had hard 
 work to keep from overflowing. 
 
 "Well, now, my dear," said Mrs. Warringsford, in 
 her kind, sympathetic way, "I think you may have 
 made a mistake in not speaking to your sister in re- 
 gard to the matter. Possibly it might be a great re- 
 lief for her to confide her trouble to you. You might 
 be able to make her see that it is not so bad as she 
 fancies. Of course, I may be mistaken, but it seems 
 to me that this would be your best plan." 
 
 'Perhaps so," said Eudora, thoughtfully. "I can 
 
Il8 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 at least make the effort. My speaking to you on the 
 subject has been such a relief to me that possibly it 
 might be the same to her. Thank you so much, Mrs. 
 Warringsford, for your kind advice and interest. It 
 makes everything so much easier for me." 
 
 "My dear, I hope you will always feel that you can 
 come to me at any time, and make me a sharer in your 
 anxieties and griefs of your joys, also, as you would 
 to your own mother, had she lived. I lost a daughter 
 of nearly your age, and at times there is something 
 about you reminding me of her. So you see you 
 have a claim upon me, aside from any ordinary friend- 
 ship." 
 
 She kissed Kndora as she finished speaking, and the 
 young girl felt the immense relief of having a confi- 
 dential, trustworthy friend. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. IIQ 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 An opportunity occurred that very night of speak- 
 ing to Gladys. Edna had gone over early, as Mrs. 
 Warringsf ord had sent word that X>abrielle begged she 
 would come and see some magic-lantern pictures their 
 father was to exhibit in the back parlor about seven 
 o'clock. The two girls were together in the sitting- 
 room, after their early combination dinner and tea. 
 The lamp was lighted in the adjoining room, with the 
 door open between, but both preferred to sit for awhile 
 in the semi-darkness, and chat. 
 
 "I am so glad," began Gladys, "that Edna has a 
 chance to have a little amusement. She has been so 
 hard at work of late, and I began to think she was 
 getting thin. I saw you looking at her this morning 
 as if you noticed a change in her." 
 
 "She certainly looked badly to-day," replied Eudora. 
 "But" she hesitated, then went on more firmly 
 "dear Gladys, has it not occurred to you that she 
 might be feeling a little anxious about a certain sister 
 of hers? " 
 
 ' 'About me? " Gladys flushed deeply. ' 'Why should 
 she" 
 
 Unaccustomed to insincerity, she paused abruptly. 
 There was an awkward pause, then Gladys resumed: 
 
 "Yes, I know that I have not been looking well of 
 late but, for that matter, Eudora, neither have you." 
 
 "That is true, Gladys, I also have had some trouble; 
 but mine is vanishing, while yours" 
 
I2O A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 Another pause, during which Kudora opened her 
 heart to receive the wisdom which was waiting to be 
 poured therein. 
 
 "Gladys, dear, I am going to tell you all about my 
 trial, though I once thought no one should ever know 
 it; because it was not a full-fledged trouble, you see, 
 and might have been much worse." 
 
 It was terribly hard for Hudora thus to open her 
 heart to any one in regard to this affair, owing to its 
 peculiar nature. It was humbling to her pride, of 
 which she had her share, though never so much as 
 Gladys. But if it might prove of any assistance to 
 this dearly-loved sister which her heaven-born in- 
 stinct told her would be the case she must cast aside 
 all selfish considerations. She told it all the little 
 details she had thought would never pass her lips; and 
 Gladys listened with absorbed interest to the very 
 end. Then she drew a long breath. 
 
 "O Kudora, how good of you to tell me ! And I 
 never guessed anything. Only, that day the letter 
 came, it struck me you looked pale, and for a moment 
 I wondered whether you really had cared. But I was 
 so taken up with my own sorrows that I selfishly 
 thought no more about you. Poor, dear girl ! It was 
 too bad ! It was just a shame ! " 
 
 "O no," said Eudora, smiling brightly. "It was 
 hard at first, and all looked dark. But, Gladys, the 
 light has come. Not in a sudden flash, but gradually 
 as a clear morning follows the slow advancing dawn. 
 I knew all along that it was for the best since all 
 things work for good ; but now I so clearly see and 
 
OR CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 1 21 
 
 feel it, and its every shadow has passed away for- 
 ever ! " 
 
 There was a long pause. 
 
 "I am very glad, dear Hudora." Gladys could not 
 be demonstrative like Kdna, but Kudora knew the 
 deep feeling underlying her words. ' 'Eudora ' ' she 
 paused, flushed, turned pale again. "You have done 
 me good I am very much better than I was before 
 we had this conversation. But will you be seriously 
 vexed with me if I still think it best not to tell you 
 what troubles me ? Perhaps I may some day. If it 
 should become unbearable, I promise you I will. But 
 my judgment tells me that just now I had better be 
 silent. It is not of such a nature as yours, Kudora 
 if it were you should know it in a minute, for I do be- 
 lieve this sorrow has melted all my pride away. But 
 you must trust me, and believe it is best you should 
 not know it at least at present. I thought it would 
 be intolerable to have any one even suspect I was in 
 deep trouble. But I am so relieved so much lighter 
 hearted and I thank you more than I can tell. 
 Please, please, don't be vexed with me." 
 
 "Certainly not, dear Gladys. You have a perfect 
 right to do as you think best in the matter. I depend 
 on your promise to tell me when you feel that you 
 can not bear it alone ; and until then I am satisfied, 
 knowing that as for me, so for you, the light is only 
 waiting to be revealed." 
 
 Gladys shook her head. 
 
 "Not as it has for you, Dorrie " a pet name Gladys 
 had not used for years. "Doubtless time will blunt 
 the keenness of the suffering, and I shall be calm once 
 
122 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 more ; but light will never dawn for me as it has for 
 you." 
 
 "O, but it will, dear Gladys," said Eudora, brightly, 
 "I am quite a prophet at times, and I prophesy that 
 before very long you will be happier than you now be- 
 lieve possible." 
 
 Then Eudora wisely changed the subject, and 
 Gladys retired to rest that night, though still sad, yet 
 with a lighter heart than had been the case since the 
 first of her sorrow. 
 
 Meantime, Edna was having a charming time. 
 Gabrielle at first felt much disappointed upon finding 
 that her dear Miss Eudora was not to be her nightly 
 companion for the present ; but Edna was so bright, 
 so full of life and spirits, entering into the fun with 'as 
 keen a zest as the children, that the little girl was 
 speedily reconciled to the change. Mr. Ernest was 
 the exhibitor, and unbent as far as his reserved nature 
 would allow. His gravity, however, was his chief 
 attraction in Edna's eyes. 
 
 "He is so aristocratic," she thought again and 
 again. "I do not think jolly men are half so in- 
 teresting." 
 
 It is to be feared poor Mr. Crescent was in her mind. 
 
 When bedtime came, Gabrielle who was allowed 
 to sit up until half -past nine had decided, with the 
 quick facility of childhood, that Miss Edna was really 
 just about as nice as Miss Eudora. 
 
 Next morning, Edna encountered two bright faces 
 at the breakfast table. Eudora had usually worn a 
 cheerful air, and had lately by degrees been recover- 
 ing the radiant look of former days; but here was the 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 123 
 
 first happy look on Gladys' countenance since that 
 mysterious event. 
 
 "Well," she exclaimed, "the change has done us 
 all good! O girls, you don't know what a lovely time 
 I had! Everything was delightful, and they were all 
 so kind and nice! " 
 
 "I am glad you had a happy time, dear," said Eu- 
 dora. "And you shall stay there for the present at 
 any rate perhaps altogether." 
 
 Edna clapped her hands. She was still scarcely 
 more than a child, and the late strain had been hard to 
 bear. Now the relief was great, and her elastic na- 
 ture rebounded as soon as the burden was lifted. To 
 see her dear Gladys cheerful once more was of itself 
 happiness enough. The pleasure, too, of the previous 
 night, and the prospect of more, added to her high 
 spirits, so that she felt no lack of anything. 
 
 "Now, Edna," said Eudora, when they were wash- 
 ing the dishes . together Gladys had gone to her 
 school-room, having some preparations to make for 
 her scholars * 'I have a serious plan to propose to you 
 I hope it may meet with your approbation." 
 
 A cloud overspread Edna's countenance. 
 
 "Serious!" she echoed. "O dear! I have had so 
 much seriousness! I did hope I was over it for the 
 present at least." 
 
 "Don't be alarmed, little sister! It is serious, but 
 not sad. And I really think you may like it." 
 
 "Do tell me quick," said Edna. "I hate to be kept 
 in suspense." 
 
 ''Well, then, Edna, you know you are only eighteen, 
 and your education is far from completed. In fact, 
 
' 124 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 this is the case with Gladys and myself, though, of 
 course, to a lesser extent." 
 
 "I know it," said Edna, "and I often feel badly 
 about it, but you see I can't go to school." 
 
 "No, but this is my plan. You have a great deal 
 of time to yourself in the store, now that you are no 
 longer so busy making all those fancy article, as there 
 is quite a stock of them on hand. I therefore propose 
 that at least one hour in the morning, and one in the 
 afternoon, shall be given to your studies, of which I 
 shall mark you out a plan, and you can recite to me 
 every evening before going to Mrs. Warringsford's. 
 How does that suit your ladyship?" 
 
 "Well enough," replied Edna, doubtfully. "But 
 what do you want me to study ? " 
 
 "History for one thing. You might read a portion 
 every day, then write out a synopsis of what you have 
 read, and show it to me in the evening. Then arith- 
 metic. You can begin your algebra again, for I 
 hardly think you were very thorough in it, and do a 
 certain number of problems daily. If you should be 
 puzzled at any time, I can probably help you, as I in- 
 tend reviewing the book myself of evenings, and am 
 somewhat more advanced in that branch than my little 
 sister. We can begin with these two studies, as I think 
 they were your special bugbears, and it seems best to 
 attack them first. What do you say to my plan? " 
 
 "I like it," replied Edna, in the same doubtful tone. 
 "At least I know I ought to do it anyway. For lately 
 I have been considering my educational deficiencies, 
 and feeling that something ought to be done. But I 
 hadn't resolution enough to set myself to work. You 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 125 
 
 see, there are so many nice books in the store, and the 
 latest magazines, and it is so easy to pick one up in the 
 interval of customers. So I have drifted on and on, 
 with many a prick of conscience, I assure you, and I 
 ought to be delighted that I am forced to make a 
 halt. I don't want to be an ignoramus, and be only 
 attractive while I am young ; that's what happens to 
 empty-brained people, and I will not be one of them." 
 
 ' 'Usually," said Kudora. "But I have met some 
 very interesting people who had almost nothing of 
 what one calls education. They had brains enough to 
 take in a certain kind of knowledge from all about 
 them, and to use it in a practical way to give out 
 what they had absorbed, in such a manner as to inter- 
 est others, and to keep themselves constantly in touch 
 with the world around them. But they were people 
 of brains in the first place, and doubtless would have 
 been still more delightful, had the advantages of cul- 
 ture been theirs." 
 
 "I suppose so," said Edna. "But, Eudora, you mis- 
 take in supposing History to be one of my weak points ; 
 I am more backward in Geography, and never seem to 
 remember where places are situated. I don't think I 
 remember dates either, for I am sure Mademoiselle was 
 misty herself regarding them. I once asked her some 
 date that anybody ought to know I forget now what 
 it was perhaps the Declaration of Independence 
 and she hesitated, then told me to look it up myself. 
 I forgot all about it until the evening, when she re- 
 minded me of it, and when I said I had forgotten to 
 hunt it up, she told me what it was, and I felt sure 
 she had forgotten it herself." 
 
126 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 Kudora laughed, then said, " never mind about 
 Mademoiselle now. She was very good in a great 
 many ways, and we are much indebted to her, but she 
 was of a literary and poetic, rather than of a scientific 
 turn of mind, and to one of that nature, exactness in any- 
 thing is difficult. You are precisely the opposite, and 
 should now make good progress in the studies you 
 then neglected ; so I shall expect wonders from you. 
 Gladys and I intend reading History, and studying 
 other things of evenings after you have gone to Mrs. 
 Warringsford's ; I think people can often do better 
 work after they are grown up than earlier in life, 
 though of course the more thorough the earlier prep- 
 aration, the easier the after work will be." 
 
 "Well," said Edna, with a sigh, "I suppose I shall 
 have to give up those delightful stories, and go back 
 to every-day-ness, and humdrum-ness, and the rnusti- 
 ness of antiquity." 
 
 "I certainly would advise your giving them up in 
 the morning. In fact, if you would give them up 
 altogether for the present at any rate, until you get 
 into the habit of study, it might be best." 
 
 "All right," said Edna, firmly. "I shall give them 
 up for a month any way, and see what comes of it. 
 Eudora, I want to ask you something though maybe 
 you won't like it; but I do so want to know." Edna 
 paused, looking inquiringly at her sister, who smil- 
 ingly replied: "Go on and ask your question, Edna; 
 I think you can safely do so." 
 
 "Well, then, what I want to know is, have you 
 been singing your little song of late?" 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 127 
 
 Kudora flushed deeply, but answered calmly: "Yes, 
 dear, every night as usual. Why do you ask?" 
 
 "O, well," said Edna, mentally blaming herself for 
 indiscretion, "I only thought perhaps you hadn't." 
 
 She was turning away when Budora stopped her. 
 "Wait a moment, Edna. I think I know why you 
 asked me. You have doubtless noticed that of late I 
 have not been in the best of spirits. That is true. I 
 had what I considered good cause for being sad. But 
 I knew surely that my real causes for thanksgiving 
 were just what they had ever been, so I thanked God 
 for the blessings which I could not see so clearly as be- 
 fore, but which I believed in with all my heart. And 
 now, Edna, the light has come the sight has come; 
 and more clearly than ever do I see the goodness and 
 mercy which have followed me every step of the way, 
 and will follow me even to the end." 
 
 The tears were in Edna's eyes, but she tried to hide 
 her emotion by saying lightly: "It's lovely, of course, 
 to be able to feel so. But I think I should get tired 
 of saying prayers all the time." 
 
 Then Eudora quoted, smilingly: 
 
 "To talk with God, no breath is lost; 
 
 Talk on, talk on. 
 
 To walk with God, no strength is lost; 
 Walk on, walk on." 
 
 "But here are the dishes all done, and it is about 
 time for you and me to prepare for our several duties." 
 
 "Please wait a minute, Eudora. I want to ask you 
 Something more. How does Gladys happen to look 
 so cheerful all at once? Has she quite got over her 
 
128 
 
 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 trouble, or did you use some magic to make her for- 
 get it?" 
 
 "Only love's magic, little sister. She is cheered 
 and relieved to a certain extent; but the sorrow is still 
 there, and we must wait patiently until it is removed." 
 
 Yes, the sorrow was still there, and now and then 
 Gladys would fall back into her gloomy moods, or 
 suddenly remember, with a shock of surprise or terror. 
 But the intervals of cheerfulness were longer, her 
 sleep became less troubled, and, on the whole, there 
 was improvement. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 129 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 And so the winter passed, and April was at hand. 
 Most of the time, their little kitchen fire had been a 
 real necessity in order to keep comfortably warm, 
 at least of mornings and evenings, on sunny days; on 
 rainy days it was kept constantly going. Then the 
 communicating doors were left open, and some degree 
 of warmth penetrated to the adjoining rooms. Edna 
 tried to imagine that it warmed even the store, but 
 after taking two severe colds, she consented to employ 
 the customary California heat-imparter a large lamp 
 inclosed in a reflector which really threw out more 
 heat than one who has not tried it would suppose. 
 On unusually chilly days, she would sometimes warm 
 a thick board in the oven, and lay it under her feet as 
 she sat at her studies, and also put a shawl or cape 
 around her shoulders. But the rainy days were few 
 and far between, and the sunny days many and glori- 
 ous; so that life, as far as climate was concerned, was 
 not at all hard to bear. 
 
 One day, late in the afternoon, as the girls were sit- 
 ting down to dinner, Mr. Crescent walked in. 
 
 "Do not let me disturb you, young ladies. Perhaps 
 you will kindly allow me to join you in a cup of tea?" 
 
 Of course he had a warm welcome, especially from 
 Eudora and Edna. Gladys, after her usual quiet cour- 
 teous greeting, said not a word, although Mr. Crescent's 
 inquiring looks were chiefly in her direction. 
 
 "I have come this evening for a particular pur- 
 
130 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 pose," he said, after he had been supplied with tea 
 and crackers, refusing more substantial nourishment. 
 "It is a considerable time since our Long Beach ex- 
 cursion, and another expedition is now in order, ac- 
 cording to my idea I hope also to yours." 
 
 Edna looked delighted. 
 
 "Of course it is!" she said. "Why don't you say so, 
 girls?" 
 
 "I am sure it would be delightful," said Kudora, 
 while Gladys murmured something to the same effect. 
 
 "Well, then, hear my plan," said Mr. Crescent. 
 "You have been to the coast, but not to the canon, 
 and as this is the season for wild flowers, I want you 
 to see them in all their beauty. There is also a 
 business side to the question. You can gather a quan- 
 tity of the different varieties, and my friend, Mrs. 
 Parlot, has offered to instruct you in the art of pressing 
 and arranging them, so that you will have some fur- 
 ther attractions to allure the tourist to our little store. 
 Mrs. Parlot is the same kind friend who gave me in- 
 formation regarding the sea-mosses and shells." 
 
 "How lovely!" exclaimed Kdna. "I have always 
 wanted to know how to arrange flowers scientifically. 
 You can add the artistic touches, Gladys." 
 
 "Mrs. Parlot is very kind to take so much trouble 
 for strangers," said Gladys, somewhat stiffly. . "But I 
 do not see that we have any claim " 
 
 She paused, with a feeling that her intended speech 
 was uncalled-for and out of place. 
 
 ' 'She will not long be a stranger, when you have once 
 met her," said Mr. Crescent, somewhat cast down. 
 "She makes every one feel at home with her at once, 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 131 
 
 and takes a real enjoyment in helping all who need her 
 help." 
 
 He paused for a moment, during which Gladys had 
 an uncomfortable feeling that she had better have re- 
 mained silent. Then he resumed, more cheerfully: 
 
 "I have a special wish that you should all see the 
 Santiago Canon. It is rather far some forty or fifty 
 miles off but we go by rail most of the way, and can 
 hire some kind of a conveyance for the remaining 
 distance. Mrs. Warringsford declines being of the 
 party, as she fears the fatigue may be too much for 
 her, but Mrs. Parlot will be delighted to act as chape- 
 ron, and will explain the pressing process on the 
 spot. Mr. Ernest will also join us, and Gabrielle, at 
 her own earnest request. I flatter myself that this will 
 make a charming party. I trust it also meets your 
 united approbation." 
 
 It was Eudora who took upon herself to answer for 
 all, as Gladys did not seem disposed to speak. 
 
 "Indeed, I am sure it would be most charming, 
 Mr. Crescent, and you are extremely kind to plan the 
 pleasure for us, but this time there are really serious 
 difficulties in the way. I could not well break any 
 of my engagements, and Gladys could hardly dismiss 
 her class, so neither of us could take Edna's place 
 in the store, which I believe, as a member of the firm, 
 you do not approve of closing." 
 
 "Permit me to arrange the matter, Miss Eudora. 
 In fact, it is already arranged in my own mind. The 
 expedition is planned for Saturday next; therefore, 
 your difficulty, and Miss Glady's, are disposed of. As 
 to Miss Edna" he paused and looked at her anxious 
 
132 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 face with a twinkle in his eye. "We will cut the 
 Gordian knot of this special difficulty with a single 
 blow of the sword. We shall close the store for the 
 day! " 
 
 "O!" exclaimed Edna, half relieved, and half in 
 doubt. "But I thought you did not approve of that 
 when we went to Long Beach, you know." 
 
 "That was different, Miss Edna. We had only 
 commenced business then, and to establish a character 
 for dependableness is essential to success. That char- 
 acter is now established. Besides, next Saturday is a 
 special holiday of some kind I did not learn exactly 
 what it is but it is some celebration outside the city, 
 so that LOS Angeles will be comparatively deserted, 
 and possibly you might not have a single customer the 
 entire day. So, Miss Edna, you shall have your holi- 
 day, and we will close the store! " 
 
 Edna clasped her hands with a sigh of satisfaction. 
 "How perfectly lovely!" she said; she was a modern 
 young lady, and dealt in superlatives. ' 'To think we 
 can all go, and nobody is left behind to spoil the pleas- 
 ure of others! " 
 
 Each for her own special reason, Gladys and Eudora 
 would both have preferred remaining at home. But 
 each disliked disappointing the others besides, their 
 reasons were not such as could be given. So they 
 smilingly accepted the invitation with thanks, and Mr. 
 Crescent and Edna were radiant. 
 
 "This time we must take provisions," said Mr. 
 Crescent, "as there is nothing to be had in the moun- 
 tains. Mr. Ernest, who unites with me in the affair, 
 attends to that part. He will take their butler to 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 133 
 
 manage the hamper and attend to the commissary de- 
 partment in general; so all is comfortably arranged. 
 I forgot to mention that Mrs. Parlot has a fourteen- 
 year-old son, who accompanies his mother a very 
 nice boy, by the way. He will be a pleasant com- 
 panion for Gabrielle, with whom he is already ac- 
 quainted, and who greatly admires him; but I fear 
 the admiration is hardly reciprocated. Lloyd is, how- 
 ever, a gentlemanly lad, and treats her with kindly 
 politeness." 
 
 "Suppose it rains," suggested Edna. 
 
 "It is not likely to do that, Miss Edna, so late in 
 the season, though it is possible until early May. But, 
 if it should rain, it is extremely unlikely that it would 
 be more than a shower in which case we could retreat 
 to our carriage while it lasted. We do not take rain 
 into account when planning expeditions in these re- 
 gions; if it should come, it will be only one of the ex- 
 ceptions which prove the rule." 
 
 ' 'How nice, " said Edna. ' 'We were always looking 
 out for storms at home." 
 
 "Let me see," said Mr. Crescent, "this is Wednes- 
 day. Then on Saturday next, young ladies, if you 
 will kindly be in readiness by 7 A. M., Mrs. Warrings- 
 ford's carriage will be at the door to convey you and 
 Gabrielle to the depot, where Mr. Ernest and myself 
 will be awaiting you also, Mrs. Parlot and her son, 
 I presume. We leave this time by the Santa Fe depot, 
 instead of the Arcade, as when we w r ent to Long 
 Beach." 
 
 Some general conversation followed; then the gen- 
 tleman took his departure. 
 
134 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 Saturday dawned clear and bright ; with that fine 
 crispiness in the air characteristic of a Spring morn- 
 ing in those regions. Edna looked into the store 
 after she was dressed ; then closed and fastened the 
 door between it and the adjoining room. 
 
 "Good-bye, old store!" she said, gayly. "I'm a 
 lady to-day. A lady of leisure, about to step into 
 my carriage, and forget your existence for the next 
 twenty-four hours at any rate! You're well enough 
 in your way, but I would not die of grief if I should 
 never see your face again. I wouldn't indeed! Good- 
 bye to you, old store! " 
 
 "Nonsense, Edna," said Gladys, who overheard 
 the speech. "I hope you are a lady as much in the 
 store as out of it. And you had better not speak so 
 disrespectfully of what has largely contributed to our 
 living. But you are so happy you scarcely know what 
 you are saying, do you, Ducksie ? " 
 
 It was long since Edna had heard her sister use 
 the old pet name, and taking it as a harbinger of re- 
 turning spirits, she felt her cup of happiness full in- 
 deed. 
 
 Soon the carriage appeared, with Gabrielle inside, 
 and of course overflowing with life and fun. The 
 butler sat beside the coachman, feeling the dignity of 
 his position, and doing his best to imitate his com- 
 panion's stiff straightness. Mrs. Warringsford came 
 down to the gate to see them off, and to give final di- 
 rections to Gabrielle regarding strict observance of her 
 elders' commands. Good-byes, and many wishes for 
 a happy day then they were off. 
 
 A fifteen minutes' drive brought them to the fine, 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 135 
 
 flower- surrounded Santa Fe depot, where the gentle- 
 men awaited them, coming forward to assist them 
 from the carriage. In the waiting-room were Mrs. 
 Parlot and her handsome son, whom Gabrielle delight- 
 edly greeted for she had not known of his being one 
 of the party. Mrs. Parlot was a short, stout, little 
 lady, precisely the opposite of what the girls had 
 imagined though for what reason, they could not 
 have told. She had twinkling blue eyes, a snub nose, 
 merry, laughing countenance "not a particle of style 
 about her, and homely too," decided Gladys on the 
 spot. Decided it with a feeling of yes, let it be con- 
 fessed a feeling of satisfaction which she would have 
 scorned to confess even to herself, considering such 
 pettiness as unworthy of a lady, besides being unable 
 to conceive of any reason why Mrs. Parlot's appear- 
 ance should affect her in any possible manner! 
 
 The boy was entirely different from his mother 
 "resembles his father who died long ago," Mr. 
 Crescent had informed them. He had large, dreamy 
 brown eyes, olive complexion and dark, curly hair 
 "just as sweet as can be," Gabrielle had confided to 
 Edna in an aside, while awaiting their train. 
 
 Mrs. Parlot was the kind of woman who makes 
 another woman feel almost instantly at ease in her 
 presence ; and it was not long before all the girls felt 
 as though they had known her for an indefinite 
 period. Any idea they might have had, that a 
 stranger's presence would mar their enjoyment, and 
 be a disagreeable restraint, vanished even before the 
 train arrived, and they started on their journey with 
 the pleasant feeling of congeniality all around. Well, 
 
136 A BUSINESS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 not quite all round. Mr. Ernest's reserve was what 
 it had ever been ; though melting now and then, 
 to a more or less extent, it was still there, surrounding 
 him as by an impenetrable mist indefinable as mist, 
 and yet as really to be felt dampening to a greater or 
 lesser degree, according to the susceptibility of tem- 
 perament, the spirits of those about him. The three 
 girls regarded him with very different eyes. 
 
 "I certainly do not admire him," thought Gladys, 
 as she contrasted him with another person, his direct 
 opposite. ' ' He is cold as an iceberg really makes 
 me feel chilly." 
 
 "What an admirable father he makes," thought 
 Eudora, who was training herself to see the best in 
 everything. "How perfectly devoted he is to those 
 children, and how dearly they love him." 
 
 While Edna thought for perhaps the twentieth 
 time, ' 'how charmingly aristocratic he is so interest- 
 ing, so polite, such a perfect gentleman ! He is just 
 the nicest man I ever met in all my life ! " 
 
 About thirty miles inland by rail from I^os Angeles, 
 they stopped at a small town, where the ladies waited 
 at the station while the gentlemen went in search of 
 a vehicle. In about half an hour they returned with 
 a small, shabby hotel omnibus, that being the only 
 obtainable conveyance ; the others being off on pic- 
 nics in various directions. 
 
 "I am sorry, ladies," said Mr. Crescent, "but this 
 is really the best we can do for you, and we had some 
 difficulty in securing even this sorry affair. How- 
 ever, it is cushioned, the springs are fairly good, and 
 it has the merit of affording us ample room." 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 137 
 
 While speaking, Mr. Crescent was handing in the 
 ladies then the gentlemen followed, the butler with 
 his hamper took his seat beside the driver, and they 
 were off. 
 
 "What a beautiful little town," said Mrs. Parlot, as 
 they passed by the plaza, situated about the center of 
 the place, its borders one mass of brilliant flowers, 
 and beds of grass plots here and there, kept green 
 and luxuriant by the overflowing basin of the fountain, 
 whose sparkling waters were seen from quite a dis- 
 tance, "I do think Southern California excels in its nu- 
 merous picturesque towns and villages. L,ook at these 
 cosy, comfortable cottages ! And there are some 
 pretty villas and, actually, an imposing hotel build- 
 ing ! One would not suppose there would be pat- 
 ronage in such a small place to warrant so large a 
 structure. ' ' 
 
 "There are numerous commercial travelers stopping 
 over night at even these small towns," said Mr. Cres- 
 cent. "Then occasionally a family traveling in search 
 of health makes a longer or shorter stay. Then 
 many of the well-to-do families in the town find it 
 convenient to take at least their dinner at the hotel 
 the price for meals being low enough to make it worth 
 their while, and help of any kind being difficult to 
 procure. By one means or other they usually make 
 then pa} 7 , to at least a moderate extent. Money is de- 
 cidedly scarce in these small places." 
 
 Soon they were passing long shady avenues (lined 
 on either side with graceful pepper- trees) or rows of 
 tall eucalyptus or evergreens of various description. 
 
138 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 Sometimes they passed lemon orchards, some of the 
 yellow fruit still hanging upon the branches again 
 orange orchards where the snowy blossoms shed de- 
 lightful perfume and contrasted with the bright colors 
 of the ripe fruit which here and there had been left 
 ungathered. Hedges of clipped evergreens inter- 
 twined oftentimes with red geraniums were numerous. 
 Soon they entered upon the open plains, no less 
 interesting in their way more so indeed, as being a 
 less accustomed sight. Queer forms of cacti were 
 here in abundance on either side ; farther on they 
 passed through rocks and hills, where rabbits and 
 squirrels darted across the road, disappearing into 
 their holes as the sound of wheels startled them or 
 lizards ran to one side ; and once a butcher-bird rose 
 from the ground directly in front of them and soared 
 away with a snake dangling from his bill. 
 
 "He'll eat all he can of it," said Mr. Crescent; 
 "then with his sharp bill, he will make a hole in a 
 tree where he will secure his victim until hunger sends 
 him in search of it." 
 
 "How very fast the horses are going!" remarked 
 Mrs. Parlot, a little uneasily. ' "The driver seems to 
 find difficulty in holding them. I hope they are 
 safe." 
 
 "What is the matter with your horses, driver?" 
 asked Mr. Ernest. "They seem restless." 
 
 "That's just what they be," replied the man. 
 "We're gettin' near the canon, an' some days the air 
 sets 'em a'most wild. I kinder hated to bring a 'bus 
 load of tender- foots along up yonder, for the ladies 
 mostly gits skeered, an' sometimes they holler. But 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 139 
 
 that skeers the horses wuss, an' it's a heap better to 
 keep still. I guess a windstorm's not fur off." 
 
 They were at that moment ascending a steep hill, 
 and the horses had slackened their pace. 
 
 "But why does the air of the canon excite them? " 
 inquired lyloyd. 
 
 "Ef you'll tell me, I'll tell you," replied the man, 
 with the cool familiarity of native-born Californians. 
 
 As they were now at the top of the hill, and the 
 horses tearing along again at a break-neck speed, the 
 conversation necessarily ceased. 
 
140 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Only two of the party were nervous, Mrs. Parlot 
 and strange to say Mr. Ernest. Brave as men 
 usually are, in most things, yet in the matter of 
 horses, he was a veritable coward; and not all the 
 efforts of his really strong will could make him other- 
 wise. When a boy, his father, noticing this trait, had 
 bought him a beautiful Shetland pony, hoping that 
 ownership and familiarity would overcome the inborn 
 dread. But all was useless. The child could not be 
 induced even to approach the animal, and when his 
 father finally lifted him bodily and placed him in the 
 saddle, Ernest's trembling terror amounted almost to 
 a fit, so that the attempt was abandoned once for all. 
 Of course, as he grew older, reason took the upper 
 hand, and he gradually accustomed himself to driv- 
 ing out as occasion seemed to render it advisable; but 
 he never enjoyed it, and never went for personal 
 pleasure. He hailed the approaching advent of the 
 automobile, and was at the present time negotiating 
 for the purchase of one of a kind he specially admired. 
 He had never joined in the bicycle craze. Dignity 
 and wheels were to him irreconcilable terms, at least 
 as far as he himself was concerned; he never objected 
 to their use by others. 
 
 He was now, therefore, decidedly uncomfortable in 
 view of the horses' friskiness, and heartily wished 
 himself elsewhere. 
 
 Edna's quick eye saw his uneasiness. "He is 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 141 
 
 anxious about Gabrielle," she thought "How good 
 he is!" 
 
 Kudora also privately took notice, but divined better 
 the cause. "I wish he had my panoply against fear," 
 she thought. "I remember how afraid I used to be 
 of various things. What a rest it is to be afraid of 
 nothing." 
 
 Something perhaps in her calm, unmoved coun- 
 tenance attracted Mr. Ernest's attention. 
 
 "You do not object to this headlong speed, Miss 
 Grayston?" He was seated near her, and the noise 
 prevented their conversation from being heard by the 
 others. "You seem rather to enjoy it, if I am not 
 mistaken." 
 
 "I hardly think I really enjoy it, Mr. Warrings- 
 ford. But I can truly say that I do not feel afraid." 
 
 "I" she hesitated. He was so much of a stranger 
 he might not like it. But it might do good; she 
 would not let the opportunity slip. 
 
 "I have now a remedy for fear, Mr. Warringsford. 
 I used to be extremely nervous." 
 
 Mr. Krnest made a long pause, and Kudora felt that 
 perhaps her remark had been an unwise one. But he 
 spoke at last in his slow, measured tones, glancing 
 anxiously from time to time at the horses. 
 
 "May I take the liberty of inquiring, Miss Gray- 
 ston, in what that remedy consists?" 
 
 "Certainly," replied Kudora. "It is a very old one, 
 Mr. Warringsford, and yet ever new and efficacious to 
 those who faithfully use it 'I will fear no evil, for 
 Thou art with me.'" 
 
 A longer pause then Mr. Krnest remarked: "A 
 
142 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 simple remedy indeed, Miss Graystou. Rather a pre- 
 ventive, is it not?" 
 
 Before Eudora could reply, their driver, by a tre- 
 mendous exertion of muscle, brought his horses to a 
 standstill, and by the same muscle kept them from 
 starting off again, which they were wild to do; for a 
 man stood by the roadside, holding up a warning arm. 
 
 "I just wanted to tell you," he called, as soon as his 
 voice could be heard, "to look out as you go along 
 this here region. I've just killed five rattlers" rat- 
 tlesnakes "and it's pretty likely there's more of 'em 
 about. They was more lively than common, too. I 
 had a stirrin' time of it, 7 tell you. It's so purty 
 around here that many gets out to walk about a bit. 
 But 'twouldn't be safe to-day, for the critters has got 
 stirred up and might be ugly. No thanks. Good-day 
 to you." 
 
 And they were off again as hard as ever. 
 
 "How perfectly dreadful!" exclaimed Mrs. Parlot. 
 "I have such a horror of snakes! And to think of 
 their being all about us! Are there any in the place 
 to which we are going, Mr. Crescent ?" 
 
 "Very few, Mrs. Parlot. It is more than likely we 
 shall not encounter any. And they are so torpid as 
 never to attack unless first molested stepped on acci- 
 dentally, for instance." 
 
 "Well, but what is to prevent our stepping on them 
 accidentally? If the grass is at all thick, I should 
 think there would be every danger." 
 
 ' 'Have no fears whatever, my dear madam. Through- 
 out the season, lasting perhaps nine months in the 
 year, parties constantly encamp on these grounds, 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 143 
 
 sometimes for weeks together. This would hardly be 
 the case if there were serious danger of any kind. 
 Besides, Mrs. Parlot" this he said smilingly "I 
 trust you would not imagine me capable of taking you 
 into any risk whatever. That, I do assure you, were 
 in the nature of an impossibility." 
 
 "O no, indeed, Mr. Crescent," Mrs. Parlot hast- 
 ened to say. "I never thought of such a thing. Of 
 course, there would be no actual danger. But I am 
 extremely foolish in the matter of snakes, and would 
 prefer not to encounter even the mildest one on earth.'" 
 
 And now they were entering the beautiful Santiago 
 canon. Their way led through woods studded with 
 immense live oaks and other trees, from some of which 
 hung festoons of the graceful mistletoe, of which 
 Edna declared she would procure some to take home. 
 
 "Unfortunately, Miss Edna," said Mr. Crescent, 
 "as you perceive, it mostly hangs too high to be of 
 practical use." 
 
 "O, what delightful, cool-looking water-cresses!" 
 exclaimed Mrs. Parlot, as they crossed a small creek. 
 "Cannot we procure some to garnish our dishes?" 
 
 "It would hardly be wise to make the horses stop 
 now," interposed Mr. Ernest, hastily, as he saw Mr. 
 Crescent was about to speak to the driver. ' 'They are 
 at present going at a moderate pace, and there is no 
 telling what they may do if checked and then started 
 off again." 
 
 "At any rate," said Mr. Crescent, "we are almost 
 at our stopping-place. Some of us can easily come 
 down here and pick all we like." 
 
144 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 Five minutes more, and they emerged into a clear 
 open space, at the very foot of the hills. 
 
 "This is our camping place," said Mr. Crescent. 
 "Stop under that clump of trees, driver; it will be a 
 good place to tether your horses. Ladies " as they 
 were severally helped out "let me introduce to you 
 the celebrated Santiago canon. I venture to say you 
 will not be disposed to question its right to the ad- 
 jective." 
 
 "No, -indeed," replied Gladys, to whom the gentle- 
 man specially addressed himself. "It is even finer 
 than I imagined." 
 
 "What grand peaks on this side," said Mrs. Parlot. 
 "And do look at that clump of splendid live oaks on 
 our other side." 
 
 "And look at the beautiful flowers," said Gabrielle. 
 "O, Miss Kdna, do let us start at once to gather some, 
 woVt you? " 
 
 She also looked at Lloyd as she spoke, and the boy 
 at once prepared to accompany the girls. 
 
 "Now, do not go too far, Lloyd," cautioned Mr. 
 Crescent. "There is a possibility of getting lost 
 among those mountains; and also a bare possibility of 
 encountering a mountain lion, if you should wander 
 too far among the hills, though civilization has almost 
 entirely caused the disappearance of this animal." 
 
 "Lions!" exclaimed Mrs. Parlot, whom Mr. Cres- 
 cent load supposed out of hearing. "O, Lloyd! you 
 must not go off from us! I had no}; the slightest idea 
 of such a thing! Stay, all of you, close behind us, 
 and if any one of us spies anything in the least dan- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 145 
 
 gerous or suspicious, let him at once notify the others, 
 and we shall take refuge in the omnibus! " 
 
 It was impossible for Mr. Crescent to resist a hearty 
 laugh; and even Mr. Ernest condescended to a broad 
 smile. 
 
 "Pardon me, my dear madame," the former gentle- 
 man hastened to say; ."there is absolutely no danger. 
 I was more in joke than anything else. One child, 
 wandering alone, might possibly be attacked, should 
 the lion be very hungry; but three would send him 
 into a panic of fear. They are small, and not at all 
 fierce, as a general thing; besides, there is barely one 
 chance in a huudred of there being any lurking around 
 in these regions." 
 
 But Mrs. Parlot still looked uneasy, and Lloyd, who 
 with the girls had been awaiting the conclusion of 
 their elders, now said: "Very well, mother; I promise 
 you we will not go out of sight of the party, or of 
 some one of them." Which entirely satisfied Mrs. 
 Parlot, and off they went. 
 
 "That was good of you," said Edna, as they saun- 
 tered along. 
 
 "Not at all, Miss Edna; I certainly do not consider 
 myself too old to obey my mother." 
 
 "O, of course not! But she did not absolutely for- 
 bid your going." 
 
 T "No, but it would have made her unhappy and 
 spoiled her pleasure; ancl I have no right to vex my 
 mother in any way that can possibly be prevented." 
 
 "You are right indeed," said Edna, warmly. And 
 Gabrielle admired him more than ever. 
 10 
 
146 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 "I/ook at that clump of orange poppies !" exclaimed 
 Edna. 
 
 "L,et us pick plenty of them. Your mother is go- 
 ing to show us how to press them, I^loyd. ' ' 
 
 1 'Yes, and she said we were to bring them to her as 
 soon we had gathered a reasonable quantity, as it was 
 best to press them before they began to wilt. We can 
 then return for more. ' ' 
 
 Meantime, their elders were sauntering about ac- 
 cording to their fancy. Eudora, who had not noticed 
 the departure of the younger ones, now saw them at a 
 short distance, and concluded to join them. Mr. 
 Ernest, who thought it only right that he should see 
 after his daughter, begged leave to accompany her ; 
 while Mrs. Parlot, Gladys and Mr. Crescent wandered 
 off in a different direction. The butler, meanwhile, 
 busied himself in arranging their table under the shade 
 of a large sycamore tree. 
 
 "Now, ladies," said Mr. Crescent, "I propose our 
 going down to that last creek we passed, so as to fill 
 this canteen with water for our lunch. Mr. Ernest 
 says James is a first-class lemonade maker, so we must 
 provide him with one of the chief ingredients. He has 
 his hands full as it is ; and I have no doubt by the 
 time our repast is ready we shall be ready for it. ' ' 
 
 A five minutes' walk brought them to the shady, 
 rippling, pebbly little creek "more of a rivulet than 
 a creek," remarked Mr. Crescent; "but the smallest 
 stream here is called a creek at least, so it seems 
 to me." 
 
 "Here are some of those delightful water-cresses," 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 147 
 
 said Mrs. Parlot. "They shall be my contribution to 
 the luncheon. ' ' 
 
 Shortly returning, and leaving their burden with 
 James, they wandered about gathering the wild 
 flowers, of some of which there was an abundance, 
 while others were so rare that they were seized upon 
 as treasures when discovered. 
 
 Soon the young party returned, bearing goodly 
 branches of blossoms. 
 
 "Now, we can all sit under this tree," said Mrs. 
 Parlot, when both parties met, "and I shall initiate 
 you into the mysteries of flower-pressing." 
 
 Opening a large atlas she had brought with her, she 
 took from it numerous thin sheets of cotton batting. 
 These she distributed among the party, directing 
 them to split them carefully in two. Then taking the 
 flowers one by one she laid them face downward, 
 sometimes with a few leaves attached, on the fluffy 
 part of the wadding ; then laid the other piece of 
 cotton over them when one sheet was filled. 
 
 "Each petal and leaf must be perfectly smooth," 
 she said, ''or they will not look well when dry." 
 
 Then she laid the sheet between the leaves of the 
 atlas, and proceeded to fill the others in the same man- 
 ner. It was easy now for the learners to help ; and 
 by the time they were summoned to luncheon nearly 
 two dozen sheets were completed and tucked away 
 safely in the atlas. 
 
 "As soon as you return home," said Mrs. Parlot, 
 "you must put a heavy weight over the whole, and 
 leave them for several days without disturbing. The 
 cotton absorbs the moisture, and they retain their 
 
148 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 color with certain exceptions these orange poppies, 
 for example. I have never been able to preserve their 
 color beyond a very brief period. No matter how 
 carefully I have pressed them, shortly after being ex- 
 posed to the light they begin to show white streaks in 
 places, and finally are apt to fade almost completely 
 away. These lovely little blue flowers Baby-eyes 
 they are often called look well if very carefully 
 pressed as soon as gathered; but these small lilac ones 
 I see we have three varieties do the best of all, 
 looking like satin when taken from the cotton. ' ' 
 
 "If we should come here a week or too later," said 
 Mr. Crescent, ' 'we should find other varieties of wild 
 flowers. And this would be the case through the en- 
 tire spring, though I am told that just now gives us, 
 upon the whole, the best selection for pressing. But 
 now, ladies" rising and bowing "allow me to escort 
 you to the tree beneath whose spreading canopy our 
 sylvan repast is served. ' ' 
 
 All laughed as they gladly obeyed the summons, for 
 their early breakfast and long drive in the bracing air 
 had well prepared them to do justice to the feast. 
 The water-cresses were pronounced excellent; also the 
 lemonade; while the fried chicken, tongue, ham, with 
 numerous et ceteras, were more than delicious to their 
 keen appetites. 
 
 While thus busily engaged, Gabrielle, happening to 
 glance up at a branch above her head, uttered an excla- 
 mation. 
 
 "Such a queer-looking thing hanging from that 
 twig," she said, pointing to the object. "It looks 
 like a long thimble, and yes, it is really moving. ' '. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 149 
 
 Mr. Ernest rose from his lowly position, and drew 
 the branch within range of his eyes. 
 
 "A humming-bird's nest," he announced, "contain- 
 ing three young birds, so small that I fear injuring 
 them if I attempt to take them out for your inspection. 
 Ah! here comes the mother," as a buzzing, fussy little, 
 creature fluttered about, in evidently deep anxiety. 
 "There are your babies, all safe," he continued, as he 
 reseated himself, while the relieved mite settled her- 
 self, happily, though still flutteringly, on top of the 
 wee nest. 
 
 "O, I wish I could see the little birds, papa," said 
 Gabrielle. 
 
 "Wait until the mother goes off again, daughter; 
 then I shall lift you up to look at them that is, if she 
 should go off at all while we are here, which I much 
 doubt. But we must not disturb her now. ' ' 
 
 "She makes her nest from the fuzzy underpart of 
 the sycamore leaf," said Mr. Crescent. "Once, when 
 I was in this very canon, I noticed, a short distance 
 off, a nest where a decided commotion seemed to be 
 going on. Approaching, I was surprised to see a 
 number of immense black ants dragging the little 
 birds out of the nest. They had succeeded in getting 
 one of them over the edge and I was just about to 
 rescue it, when the mother or father bird darted upon 
 the scene, and actually speedily put the enemy to rout; 
 then carefully pushed the little ones safely back into 
 the nest. If I had not actually witnessed the scene, I 
 should hardly have believed it possible." 
 
150 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 It was not without grave misgivings that Mrs. Par- 
 lot had consented to seat herself upon the grass or 
 rather, upon the omnibus cushions which, neverthe- 
 less, did not prevent her feet from nestling amid the un- 
 known dangers of canon herbage. She had, however, 
 partly forgotten her uneasiness in the diversions of the 
 social feast, when suddenly, a loud scream startled 
 everybody, as she sprang to her feet, upsetting not 
 only her cup of coffee, but numerous other things 
 besides. 
 
 "A snake!" she cried out, as she rushed away, fol- 
 lowed by every one of the ladies as fast as they could 
 scramble to their feet not excepting, alas, our brave 
 Eudora! The gentlemen stood upon the defensive, 
 having no weapons of attack, while the butler, mur- 
 muring something about getting the omnibus whip, 
 ran precipitately in that direction the ladies had 
 taken the opposite course. 
 
 "What's up?" drawled the driver, as the man ap- 
 proached breathless. 
 
 "A snake!" panted James. "A rattle-snake! Give 
 me the whip and come along. ' ' 
 
 "Snakes nothin' ! " in a tone of absolute contempt. 
 "There ain't one hereabouts. And 'twould n't hurt 
 you if there was. ' ' 
 
 Then muttering something about tenderfoots, he 
 followed James, who had waxed very valiant as he 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 151 
 
 shrewdly surmised that by this time his snakeship had 
 either been killed, or had escaped. 
 
 They found the gentlemen laughing heartily, and 
 Lloyd starting off in pursuit of the ladies, to bring 
 them back with assurances of safety. A peculiar- 
 looking branch from the tree above had fallen, being 
 partially concealed in the thick grass. It was of a 
 gray mottled color, and shaped in such a manner as 
 really to resemble a snake at least to uninitiated 
 eyes. 
 
 "Allow me to introduce to you his snakeship," said 
 Mr. Crescent, with the utmost, gravity, though with 
 twinkling eyes. And he held out the branch on the 
 tip of the driver's whip. Mrs. Parlot could scarcely 
 restrain another shriek. 
 
 "It looks exactly like one," she said, still tremu- 
 lously, though forced to laugh. "Even you must 
 acknowledge that, Mr. Crescent." 
 
 "It certainly does, Mrs. Parlot. I do not in the 
 least wonder at your alarm. But now, ladies, you may 
 safely resume your seats. We have made a thorough 
 examination of the surrounding grounds, and can as- 
 sure you that no shadow of suspicion lurks in any 
 part." 
 
 But Mrs. Parlot, declaring that she had finished her 
 repast, begged to be excused, while she retired to the 
 omnibus to arrange some more flowers in the remain- 
 ing sheets of wadding. She was therefore excused, 
 while the others lingered awhile under the shadowing 
 tree, listening to incidents of canon life, told by Mr. 
 Crescent in a most fascinating manner. 
 
 Strange to say, none noticed that Gabrielle was not 
 
152 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 among them or if her father did, he supposed she 
 was safe in the omnibus with Mrs. Parlot. Sud- 
 denly Edna exclaimed, "Why, where is Gabrielle?" 
 
 All looked startled, but Mr. Ernest quickly replied: 
 "In the omnibus with Mrs. Parlot, I presume." 
 
 "Indeed she is not," said Lloyd, now starting up. 
 "I can see through the trees that mother is alone 
 there." 
 
 "Perhaps Gabrielle maybe lying down on the seat," 
 suggested Gladys and then she turned pale, as it 
 suddenly occurred to her that she had no recollection 
 of Gabrielle being with them as they returned with 
 Lloyd. 
 
 Mr. Ernest started at once for the omnibus, followed 
 by the whole party. Gabrielle was not there! Mrs. 
 Parlot, as did Gladys and Eudora, remorsefully won- 
 dered at their blindness in not perceiving sooner the 
 child's absence. But there was no time for regret 
 immediate action was necessary. Mr. Ernest had at 
 once started off alone towards the place where they 
 had all run together that being, he thought, the most 
 likely direction for her to have taken. Mr. Crescent, 
 Mrs. Parlot and Gladys went in another direction, and 
 Eudora, Edna and Lloyd in still another. James and 
 the driver, having private views of their own, went 
 up the mountains, armed with whatever improvised 
 weapons they could lay hands on. 
 
 "For faint no use skeering them worse than they 
 be skeered," said the driver, as they began the ascent. 
 "But only a month ago, a boy was crossin' this here 
 very hill, takin' a short cut to school"- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 153 
 
 ' 'School?" echoed James. There surely ain't any 
 schools in this desert place!" 
 
 "There's schools hereabouts when there ain't one 
 cabin nearer than a mile from another cabin children 
 walks five and six miles many a time back and fro 
 fur the law, right or wrong, makes 'em go to school. 
 But, anyhow, as I was sayin', the boy started out to 
 cross the mountain, but he didn't come home at eve- 
 nin'. When they went to hunt him up" he paused, 
 dramatically, and looked at James, who, in his turn, 
 stopped short in his walk, and looked aghast at the 
 driver. 
 
 "When they went to hunt up that boy, they found 
 nothiu' but his boots the same, maybe, not agreein' 
 with the lion's digestion. Come on, man! What are 
 you standin' there for? We'd ought to be far on our 
 way by this time. ' ' 
 
 "We've got no guns, nor yet pistols," answered 
 James, tremulously; "and what good will them sticks 
 do against a lion? Tell me that, will you?" 
 
 "Ye'd ought to be tooken a stick to yourself," re- 
 plied the man, contemptuously, and hurrying on. 
 "Go back, ef you're so afeard, an' climb into the 
 'bus, an' shut the door, an' git under the seat, and 
 stay there till the folks gits back to purtect ye. ' ' 
 
 But James had concluded to follow, not relishing 
 the contempt of his companion, who, after awhile, 
 condescended to explain the great unlikelihood of their 
 meeting a lion, and in the event of such an encounter, 
 the great probability of the lion being more afraid of 
 the men than the men of the lion. 
 
 Meantime, Mr. Ernest had been running first in one 
 
154 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 direction, then in another, calling his child's name at 
 intervals, but without success. 
 
 "Miss Eudora," said Lloyd, as they walked along, 
 "what do you think can have become of Gabrielle? 
 She disappeared so suddenly." 
 
 "I don't know, indeed, Lloyd. But I think she 
 will soon be found." 
 
 She stopped short for an instant, then turned and 
 went straight towards a thick row of trees, not far 
 from them so near, in fact, that no one had thought 
 of looking there. Edna and Lloyd followed. As they 
 pushed their way through a slight opening in the 
 brushwood surrounding the trees, there, to their great 
 joy, they saw beyond, and not a hundred yards from 
 them, poor little Gabrielle, seated on a large stone, 
 and crying as though her heart would break. They 
 hastened to her, and she sprang up with a cry of joy 
 as they called her name. 
 
 "O, Lloyd! O, Miss Eudora! how glad I am! O, 
 how glad I am!" And now her sobs became almost 
 hysterical. 
 
 "Dear child," said Eudora, soothingly. "We are 
 also very happy and thankful. Do please, Lloyd, run 
 as fast as possible after Mr. Ernest. He went in the 
 direction of the creek. And when you have found 
 him, you two can hunt up the rest of the party per- 
 haps if you shout as you go along they will hear 
 you." 
 
 "Indeed they won't," said Edna, as Lloyd ran off, 
 hastily. "If Gabrielle could not hear us, and she so 
 near, it is not likely they will, with the wind blowing 
 harder every moment." 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 155 
 
 As Hudora and Edna led Gabrielle back to their en- 
 campment, the little girl told, through her sobs, how, 
 when they all turned to go back, she thought she 
 would slip away to the creek, which was only a 
 short distance off, and get herself a drink, as she was 
 very thirsty. Then, in trying to return, she had gone 
 too far to one side, she supposed, and the thicket must 
 have hid the party from her. She had no idea she 
 was anywhere near them, she said, but thinking she 
 was entirely lost, had given up in despair, and had sat 
 down on the rock to cry. 
 
 "But, Miss Eudora," she almost whispered, "just 
 before you came, I remembered what you had told me 
 about saying a little prayer when we got into any 
 trouble, and I said: 'Please let them find me, and I 
 won't disobey again.' ' 
 
 "How did you disobey, dear?" 
 
 "Why, you know, before we left home, papa had 
 told me I must not, on any account, go wandering 
 off by myself. And I remembered it, too but I 
 thought it was only a few steps, and I was so thirsty; 
 and I said to myself it wouldn't matter. But all the 
 time I knew I was wrong I just wanted to do it, 
 you see." 
 
 "Well, dear, this will be a lesson for the future 
 that it is never safe to do wrong. I am sure you will 
 remember it all your life. And now we will be happy 
 again, and thank our dear L,ord that he answered our 
 prayer. ' ' 
 
 "Why, did you pray, too, Miss Eudora?" 
 
 "Indeed I did, Gabrielle. I asked Him to tell me 
 which way to go then those trees came right into my 
 
156 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 head. And now, dear, here we are. You can lie 
 down on the omnibus cushion with this shawl for a 
 pillow, and Edna will stay with you while I help 
 Lloyd in searching for the other lost people. ' ' 
 
 At this moment, she saw Mr. Ernest coming hastily 
 towards them, followed by Lloyd, and Eudora saw the 
 tears in the father's eyes as he took his recovered 
 treasure in his arms. 
 
 ' Tlease, papa," she meekly said, "please forgive me, 
 and I won't do it again." 
 
 "We shall say no more about it, little daughter 
 certainly papa forgives his little girl. And we must 
 both thank Miss Eudora for her kind interest in search- 
 ing for my little truant and for finding her. ' ' 
 
 He gave her a look of gratitude, which softened 
 his dark eyes, taking all the sternness from them a 
 look which, had it been directed to Edna, would have 
 charmed her, but was scarcely noticed by Eudora. 
 
 Uoyd, who had started in search of the others, now 
 returned, saying that he had hailed them and that 
 they were coming. Soon all were together again, and 
 great of course were the congratulations, while ques- 
 tions and answers were freely poured forth. 
 
 Five minutes passed in this manner. Suddenly Mr. 
 Crescent said: "Indies, I am sorry to disturb you, 
 but I think we had best at once make preparations for 
 departure. The wind is rising rapidly, and is more 
 likely to increase than otherwise, as it appears to be 
 what they call in these regions a Santa Ana wind, from 
 the fact of its coming over the Santa Ana valley. It 
 blows steadily in the one direction see how the trees 
 all bend over that way. It is apt to affect people in 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 157 
 
 the way of headache, or nervousness" giving a 
 mischievous glance at Mrs. Parlot, who laughed, yet 
 flushed a little, too. "And, perhaps," continued Mr. 
 Crescent, with another mischievous look at Gabrielle, 
 "it may have had the effect of confusing one little 
 girl's perceptions, so that she imagined she was re- 
 turning with her party, while she was walking away 
 in an opposite direction." 
 
 But at this point tears filled Gabrielle' s eyes, and he 
 came to an abrupt pause. 
 
 "Where is James?" asked Mr. Ernest, looking 
 around. 
 
 "Both men went up the mountains," replied Mr. 
 Crescent, "armed with all they could lay hands on in 
 the shape of sticks and stones, to do battle with the 
 lions which they were sure were lurking about in 
 readiness to devour unlucky mortals who might chance 
 to fall in their way. ' ' 
 
 At which remark Mr. Ernest turned pale, and Mr. 
 Crescent, feeling that with the laudable intention of 
 raising the spirits of the party he had only succeeded 
 in making three people uncomfortable, concluded that 
 silence was golden, and started off towards the hills, 
 with the hope of sighting the men. Lloyd followed, 
 with some vague hope of really encountering a live 
 lion. 
 
 "Do not try to go in search of them, Mr. Crescent," 
 called Mr. Ernest after him. "You would probably 
 miss them, and they are sure to return before long. 
 The rascals had not any business to go at all all they 
 wanted was fun. They knew it was impossible for 
 Gabrielle to have gone in that direction without being 
 
158 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 seen by some one of us at least. However, we must 
 just wait as patiently as may be; there is no use in 
 tiring yourself out, Mr. Crescent. ' ' 
 
 "We shall only walk up to the top of that hill and 
 shout," said Mr. Crescent. "They may hear us, or 
 we may see them. It won't do to wait long, as the 
 wind is rapidly rising and it is growing late. ' ' 
 
 So saying, he and L,loyd proceeded on their way, 
 while the others seated themselves, the ladies in the 
 omnibus out of the wind, while Mr. Ernest went over 
 and looked with anxious eyes at the horses, who were 
 snorting at intervals, and showing signs of restless- 
 ness. 
 
 Presently the two men appeared, coming hastily 
 down the mountain, but in a different direction from 
 that in which Mr. Crescent and IJoyd had gone. 
 And at the same instant, the two latter, who had 
 caught sight of the men, came down almost on a run, 
 the wind assisting their progress. 
 
 "Harness up as quickly as possible," said Mr. 
 Krnest to the driver. "We are altogether too late 
 now, and I fear the wind is increasing." 
 
 "Yes, sir" replied the man. "It's goin' to be on 
 a tare, an' the horses' 11 be jollier than ever." 
 
 With which comforting remark, he proceeded to 
 his business, and soon the party were started on their 
 journey home. 
 
 The driver's prophecy was a mild one as compared 
 with the facts. It seemed as if wind and horses were 
 running a race. There was surely now, if ever, an 
 excuse for feeling nervous, as the animals ran through 
 the creeks, splashing the water even up to the omnibus 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 159 
 
 windows on through the woods crashing dried 
 branches beneath their feet, sometimes jolting up 
 against a stump out of the woods into a narrow, dusty 
 road, where rabbit, squirrel or gopher holes right in 
 the very middle of the path made apparently immi- 
 nent the risk of breaking the horses' legs down a 
 steep hill with a precipice on one side up another hill 
 without cessation of speed on, on until it surely 
 seemed as if the animals must drop down from sheer 
 exhaustion. A heavily-laden wagon in front of them 
 forced their driver to exert his strength and bring the 
 horses to a stand-still, though chafing and pawing at 
 the restraint. Mr. Ernest took the opportunity to re- 
 monstrate. 
 
 "Now, look here, driver, if you can come to a stop 
 in that way, surely you can keep from going at such 
 a headlong, not to say, break-neck speed." 
 
 The man grinned. 
 
 "'Taint no use, boss. It's a heap easier to stop 
 'em short than to keep 'em slow-like onct they're 
 started. It's the Injun blood in 'em. There aint no 
 danger, boss. This here's too heavy a load for the 
 wind to lift up and turn over, as it might ef 'twas 
 lighter. Lots of buggies has been done that way in 
 a Santa Aner and onct a waggon to my certint 
 knowledge but there aint no danger here. ' ' 
 
 Then off they were again, headlong as ever. 
 
 "Say coachy," jerked out James through the jolts, 
 ' 'do you know what them horses reminds me of ?' ' 
 
 "Wai, I don't. Not being a magician nor yet a 
 cleer-voyant. ' ' 
 
 "Well, you said it was easier to stop them all at 
 
l6o A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 once than to keep them goin' at a moderate pace, 
 didn't you ? " 
 
 "That's right, me boy. That there's the very in- 
 cidental remark I let fall." 
 
 "Well, then, that reminds me of the drink. It's 
 easier to stop short all to once than to keep goin' at a 
 moderate pace." 
 
 Then both subsided into silence as wind and jolts 
 made conversation a rather difficult matter. Inside 
 all was quiet too. Gabrielle and L,loyd really enjoyed 
 the adventure the wild pace the roar of the wind 
 the simultaneous bowing of the tall trees in the one 
 direction the mad chase of the nimble weeds growing 
 by the roadside, broken off by the wind and tumbling 
 over and over, one after the other, until often they 
 alighted in a creek, and sailed gleefully down the 
 stream all this was nothing but fun to the inex- 
 perience which recognized no danger in anything. 
 Gladys also rather enjoyed it it took her so com- 
 pletely from herself, and the thoughts which at other 
 times would intrude, and would not be denied admit- 
 tance. Bdna was divided between fear and pleasure. 
 Eudora, naturally timid, would have been glad to find 
 herself at home again. But her panacea was always at 
 hand, and she was calm. Mr. Crescent felt a little 
 anxiety for the safety of the party in his charge as 
 to himself he was indifferent. Mrs. Parlot and Mr. 
 Ernest were the only ones who were really frightened ; 
 the former making no secret of her fears ; the latter's 
 efforts to appear unmoved being successful as far as 
 most of the party were concerned. 
 
 But nothing lasts forever ; even this risky ride must 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. l6l 
 
 come to an end, and finally the horses came to a stand, 
 panting and covered with foam, in front of the depot 
 from which they had started. 
 
 "Too late for the 5:10 train," said Mr. Crescent, 
 as after paying and dismissing the driver he made a 
 hasty inquiry at the office window. "Next train is 
 not due until 6:20. Pleasant news, isn't it, for you poor 
 tired ladies? But it gives you another opportunity 
 for exercising the proverbial patience of your sex." 
 
 It was not pleasant news the thought of waiting 
 for an hour in that bare waiting-room tired as they 
 really were from the excitement of the past few 
 hours. 
 
 ' 'I just think it's too bad ! " said Edna in a low voice 
 to Eudora, who was seated beside her. "And we 
 only missed the train by three minutes ! Isn't it too 
 vexatious for anything? " 
 
 "O, I don't think so," replied Eudora, smilingly. 
 "We are not responsible for the delay, since we could 
 not have managed it otherwise." 
 
 ' 'Why, yes, we could, Eudora. If we had only started 
 five minutes earlier, which we could easily have done." 
 
 "If we had known we were going to be three minutes 
 late we could but you see we did not know, little 
 sister. I am learning to give up these 'ifs,' and am 
 ever so much happier in consequence. Just try it, and 
 see what difference it makes." 
 
 Just then Mr. Ernest seated himself on Edna's 
 other side, and addressing his conversation chiefly to 
 her for a large part of the waiting hour, she was more 
 than content, and decided in her own mind that 
 Eudora was quite right. 
 
1 62 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 The following afternoon, Tony arrived at the class 
 with tear-stained cheeks, and without the baby. ' 'The 
 little chap's awful sick," he explained in answer to 
 Eudora's inquiries. "I wouldn't a left him, only 
 mother's not drunk to-day, an' she's takin' care of 
 him pop's there too. He's awful sick, he is." And 
 the child wiped away the tears with his jacket sleeve, 
 a whole clean jacket now, for Eudora, with Mrs. War- 
 ringsford's help, had procured him decent clothing. 
 'Mely was also provided for, and very differently did 
 the two children look from the first day' of Tony's ap- 
 pearance in the store. Self-respect was awakened, 
 bad language was on the decline, and altogether, 
 Eudora felt encouraged. Tony's friend, Jim, likewise 
 showed signs of improvement, though not to the same 
 extent. 
 
 The class now numbered about a dozen; the attend- 
 ance varying according to the attraction or non-attrac- 
 tion of outside matters. Once a rat-fight carried off 
 the whole school, with the exception of Tony, who 
 longed ardently to go, but feeling that to do so would 
 be an act of disloyalty to his dear teacher though of 
 course he did not put it that way valiantly fought the 
 battle with himself, and arrived at the appointed time 
 with 'Mely and the baby, Eudora never suspecting 
 that the boy had done as valiant a deed that day 
 as many a hero who fights his country's battles. 
 
 "Gladys," said Eudora, going to her sister in the 
 
A CHRISTAIN OPTIMIST. 163 
 
 sitting-room, "Tony says the baby is very sick. 
 Would you not like to go over and see about it? 
 They will probably be in need of assistance or food." 
 
 "I will go," said Gladys, shortly; and in a few min- 
 utes departed. It was not the first time she had gone 
 to that miserable home. She was becoming really in- 
 terested in the baby, and took pleasure in making him 
 some little article of dress, which she would herself 
 carry over, and put on him. 
 
 If any one thing more than another could have 
 marked the change which had come over Gladys, it 
 was her willingness to enter such an abode, and to 
 witness its misery. Her fastidiousness had always 
 hitherto declined such errands. Even when their 
 governess, who was a kind-hearted, conscientious 
 woman, occasionally took the other girls to distribute 
 with their own hands the garments they had made or 
 mended for the poor, she could never induce Gladys 
 to accompany them. Now it seemed a relief to her 
 own distress to endeavor to minister to the distress 
 of others, and many a time had she carried some 
 left-over provisions to the poor children, who sadly 
 needed them. 
 
 She found the baby lying on an old mattress cover- 
 ing the rickety four-posted bed, which served as the 
 resting-place for the entire family. The mother was 
 rocking herself back and forth, crying over the little 
 form out of which the life had nearly departed. The 
 father sat a short distance off, looking half stupefied, 
 and as if hardly conscious of what was going on. 
 
 "Have you had the doctor? " asked Gladys. 
 
164 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 ' 'O, yes, miss, but he says it 's no use he couldn't do 
 nothin'. " 
 
 A fresh burst of sobs roused the man to such an ex- 
 tent that he got up, walked unsteadily over to the bed, 
 gave the child a stupid stare, then meandered back 
 again, and seemed at once to fall asleep, his head sunk 
 on his breast. Gladys had brought some hastily pre- 
 pared nourishment for the child ; but even her inex- 
 perienced eyes saw the uselessness of attempting to 
 administer it. 
 
 ' 'Tony ought to be here, ' ' she said. ' 'I shall go and 
 bring the children over." She also wished to consult 
 with Eudora as to what was best to be done under the 
 circumstances. 
 
 Upon hearing Gladys' report, Kudora at once dis- 
 missed her class, and accompanied her sister back, 
 followed by the children. As they entered, a loud 
 burst of grief told the sad story. The last breath had 
 just left the little body, and the little spirit had gone 
 happily home to God. 
 
 Tony ran over to the bed, and snatched the tiny 
 form in his arms. But when the marble flesh touched 
 his, and he saw the glazed eyes and falling jaw, he felt 
 instinctively, though for the first time he looked upon 
 death, that never more could those blue eyes look 
 smilingly into his, nor those fast-stiffening arms be 
 stretched out in mute appeal to be taken to the brother's 
 clasp. 
 
 Shudderingly he laid the little body down, and with a 
 heart-breaking moan, threw himself prostrate on the 
 floor in an agony of grief. Kudora tried to comfort 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 165 
 
 him, but all her efforts were in vain the sorrow must 
 have vent, or the little heart would well-nigh break. 
 
 The father, now thoroughly aroused by the noise, 
 and sobered by the knowledge that his child was really 
 gone, took his hat and went to notify a friend whom 
 the mother had mentioned to Gladys upon her inquir- 
 ing for whom they should send. Meantime, both 
 girls arranged the wretched room as well as was possible 
 under the circumstances. Then Gladys returned 
 home to prepare some food for the family, there being 
 apparently no provisions in the house. 
 
 Shortly afterwards, in came a respectable-looking 
 woman, who seemed much concerned at the sad event. 
 Kudora and she had a short conversation in the small 
 shed adjoining their one room. The woman told her 
 that Tony's parents had once been well-to-do people; 
 that the hard times had thrown the man out of work; 
 and finding all efforts vain to secure employment 
 enough to keep his family in any kind of comfort, he 
 took to drinking out of sheer discouragement. The 
 wife, probably at first to allay the gnawings of hunger, 
 gradually joined him for he always drank at home, 
 never in saloons until both had fallen to their present 
 sad condition. 
 
 "And she was as pretty and as nice a girl as ever 
 you could lay eyes on, miss," said the friend, wiping 
 awa}^ the tears with her apron. "An' he was good- 
 lookin' too; you can see the children's purtier than 
 common. But the drink's somethin' terrible when 
 onct it lays hold of man or woman either. Seems as 
 if it would never let go its hold. Heaven help them 
 all!" 
 
1 66 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 Finding out from the parents that they had no plans 
 nor wishes in regard to the child's funeral, Kudora 
 ascertained from the friend where the minister whose 
 church they formerly attended lived, and she resolved 
 to call upon him and acquaint him with the facts. 
 Then she persuaded Tony to return home with her, 
 where she intended keeping him until the time for the 
 funeral. Mrs. Warringsford, as usual, came to her 
 help with the offer of a fold-up canvas bed, which 
 Eudora put up in one corner of the store, from whence 
 it could be easily taken away in the morning. 
 
 Towards evening, she called on the minister. He 
 was an elderly man, kind and genial in manner, and 
 he listened with interest to Kudora's account. He re- 
 membered the family when she mentioned the name, 
 but said he thought they had long since left the city. 
 
 "I have a committee organized in my church," he 
 said, "to look after just such cases; but it was proba- 
 ably not in existence at the time these people drifted 
 from us. My parish is so large that it is impossible for 
 me to keep track of each person connected with it; 
 and these committees take a great deal of such work 
 off my hands." 
 
 He then told Kudora at what hour on the following 
 day he could hold the funeral service, promised that 
 their immediate wants should be attended to, and that 
 efforts would also be made for their future well-being. 
 
 The next afternoon, after a short service at the 
 house, the liitle body was laid in its final resting-place. 
 Mrs. Warringsford had given Gladys a profusion of 
 white flowers to lay about the pretty little casket pro- 
 vided by the church committee, who nad at once re- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 167 
 
 sponded to their pastor's call, and had also given the 
 father and mother clothing suitable for the occasion. 
 The girls, with Mrs. Warringsford's assistance, had 
 fitted out the children, and extremely respectable was 
 the appearance of .the whole family when the last sad 
 rites were being performed. Sore as Tony's heart was 
 for the little brother whose special care-taker he had 
 been, yet he could not help feeling soothed and com- 
 forted by the attentions lavished on them all; and a 
 feeling of gratified pride came over him, when, glanc- 
 ing even through his tears at the little party assembled 
 for the ceremony, he saw in the doorway the awed 
 and admiring faces of his friend Jim and several other 
 boys of the mission class! 
 
 But, when all was over, and he had returned to his 
 desolate home, over which the darkness was again fast 
 falling, his grief once more had the upper hand, and 
 lie sobbed out to Kudora, who was bidding him good- 
 bye: "I didn't take no stock in the baby, an' I used 
 ter wish he'd never been bonied. But I wish it all 
 the same now, for" with a fresh burst of sobs "if 
 he hadn't never had been borned, he wouldn't 
 never have died! " 
 
l68 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 ''Get out your best attractions to adorn your win- 
 dow," said Mr. Crescent one day to Hdna; "and make 
 your store as alluring as possible. L,a Fiesta is ap- 
 proaching. It always draws large crowds, some east- 
 ern people even timing their visit hitherward so as to 
 be present at this great event. It is the harvest-time 
 of the L,os Angeles merchants, and, though you are 
 somewhat out of the way, still you may possibly profit 
 to a certain extent by the business activity surround- 
 ing you." 
 
 "I have heard of L,a Fiesta," said Hdna, who just 
 then was alone in the store: it was towards even- 
 ing, and Gladys was preparing dinner. Kudora had 
 not yet returned from Mrs. Warringsford's, whose 
 mending day this happened to be. "We can see the 
 processions, at any rate, and it will be something to 
 write about to our Eastern friends. ' 
 
 "I propose that you shall see a good deal of it, Miss 
 Edna. But we can make our plans later on. We 
 have yet a week before us, although the people are 
 wild over the prospect, and numerous flags are al- 
 ready flying. Ah! good evening, Miss Eudora. We 
 are speaking of the coming Fiesta; you have doubt- 
 less heard of it." 
 
 "This evening, for the first time," replied Eudora. 
 I hardly yet understand exactly what it is, though I 
 imagine it somewhat resembles the Mardi Gras festival 
 at New Orleans." 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 169 
 
 "In some of its features," said Mr. Crescent. 
 "Especially in the masquerade, which takes place on 
 the closing night; and which, by the bye, many good 
 citizens would gladly eliminate from the programme, 
 since the liberty then given is apt to degenerate into 
 license. * But the celebration, in its main features, is 
 peculiar to Southern California, and could not be so 
 successfully carried on elsewhere. Since the whole 
 year is a succession of harvests of one kind or other, 
 it is not necessary to select any special season for the 
 ingathering rejoicing. But by the middle of April 
 comes a time of comparative leisure, since the orange 
 crop is then mostly gathered and disposed of, and the 
 summer crop of cereals and deciduous fruits is not 
 ready to be harvested. Then, too, the slight chill 
 of winter has passed the dust which later on is not 
 a pleasant feature of this region, has not yet be- 
 gun to accumulate in fact, everything is at its best. 
 It is a very old institution introduced into California 
 by the first Spanish settlers; some even think that the 
 Indians held something of a fiesta as a token of appre- 
 ciation of the bountiful conditions surrounding them. 
 But I ought to be off," continued Mr. Crescent, con- 
 sulting his watch. "I have an engagement at seven, 
 and it is now a quarter past six; I suppose, though, I 
 have a few minutes yet to spare. ' ' 
 
 But he lingered even after the few minutes were 
 over, and only when he was forced to go, or miss his 
 appointment, did he reluctantly take his departure. 
 He was barely outside the door, when Gladys sum- 
 moned them to dinner. 
 
 "Why didn't you come in and see Mr. Crescent?" 
 
1 70 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 asked Edna. "I am sure he was disappointed not to 
 meet you." 
 
 "I can't see," replied her sister, coolly, " that it is 
 necessary he should behold all three of us every time 
 he comes, which, as you know, is very often, being 
 our business manager. ' ' 
 
 "And, in fact, our general manager all around, it 
 seems to me," said Edna. "But, to tell you the 
 truth, Gladys, my private opinion is, that he would 
 rather be a special manager. Perhaps he is tired of 
 general skirmishing, and intends for the future to take 
 aim only in one direction." 
 
 "Edna," said Eudora, admonishingly, though Edna 
 was sure she saw a twinkle in her eyes, ' 'do speak 
 more respectfully of our father's old friend. Mr. 
 Crescent takes, as far as possible, his place to us, and 
 is certainly one of the kindest, most considerate of 
 friends. It would be a great pity to spoil our pleasure 
 in his society by giving way to foolish imaginings. ' ' 
 
 "And, besides," added Gladys, severely, "I have 
 often told you, Edna, that such speeches were very 
 vulgar, and not indulged in by ladies. ' ' 
 
 Thus quenched, Edna concluded to keep silence for 
 the future. Meantime, her private opinion only gained 
 in strength as the days went by. But now her 
 thoughts reverted to the coming celebration. 
 
 ' 'We can arrange all the flowers we pressed, Gladys, ' ' 
 she said, "and exhibit them in the window. They 
 will look beautiful on those lovely tinted, scalloped 
 cards we have in the drawer. Your taste will have to 
 come into requisition there. But, Eudora, you said 
 you heard of I^a Fiesta for the first time this evening. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 1 7 1 
 
 Did Mrs. Warringsford tell you about it? And did 
 she say anything about inviting us to go with her to 
 see the sights?" 
 
 ' 'It was there I heard of it, " replied Eudora. ' 'And 
 something was said about our joining them in sight- 
 seeing, little sister." 
 
 "O, splendid!" exclaimed Edna, clapping her hands. 
 "Why didn't you tell me before?" 
 
 "Possibly, dear, because I have not the slightest 
 idea of going, at least through the day, though I see 
 no objection to your doing so if you choose. You will 
 hear enough of it from Gabrielle to-night, if she 
 should be awake when you go over. ' ' 
 
 "0, I am going early this evening to celebrate my 
 last night over there. I wish it wasn't! I've had 
 such a lovely time, and only wish it were to do over 
 again. Gabrielle says her father is going to allow her 
 to stay up for half an hour every evening after you 
 go, so that you can all have a pleasant time together 
 in the parlor. Won't it be lovely ?' ' 
 
 "Well, Edna, you are going to have the loveliness 
 to yourself, for some time to come, at least. I told 
 Mrs. Warringsford to-day that I would make no 
 change for the present." 
 
 Gladys looked inquiringly at her sister, and Edna 
 clasped her hands in ecstasy. 
 
 "Really and truly, and on your honor, Eudora? and 
 is it a real, true and actual fact?" 
 
 "Really and truly, little sister. And I am glad it 
 makes you so happy. We are both satisfied. ' ' 
 
 "But, Eudora," said Gladys, "I hope you are not 
 doing this on my account. You know I sleep very 
 
172 A BUSINESS VKNTUR3 ; OR, 
 
 well now as a usual thing, and I don't think I shall 
 disturb Edna any more." 
 
 'It is not that chiefly' ' replied Hudora. ' 'I truly 
 prefer it this way, Gladys, and I think you have no 
 special objection, so we are suited all around." 
 
 "The only trouble is," said Edna, dolefully, "that 
 they won't like it so well over there. I don't think 
 Gabrielle cares so much, for now she is used to me, 
 and we really do have jolly times. But I know Mrs. 
 Warringsford likes you ever so much" better, and 
 thinks you have such a good influence over Gabrielle. 
 'Miss Kudora is so lovely and has such perfect man- 
 ners,' I heard her say once to somebody: 'I consider 
 it a great privilege to have her so much with the 
 children.' " 
 
 Kdna's voice and manner were so good an imitation 
 of Mrs. Warringsford that it was impossible to keep 
 from laughing. 
 
 "But," continued Edna, more cheerfully, "you are 
 there on Monday for all day, you know, and Gabrielle 
 is with you all afternoon, so they must be satisfied 
 with that. And sometimes, you know, you spend two 
 days there. ' ' 
 
 "Yes," replied Eudora; "I have been doing so, but 
 for the future I am going to bring the work over 
 home and do it here; at least, for awhile. I hope 
 you have neither of you any objection?" 
 
 Gladys and Edna both looked surprised. 
 
 "Of course not," said Gladys, at last. "But, Eu- 
 dora, why are you making the change? And will 
 Mrs. Warringsford like it ?' ' 
 
 "Of course she won't," said Edna, before her sister 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 173 
 
 had time to reply. ' 'I have just been saying how glad 
 she was to have her over there on account of Ga- 
 brielle." 
 
 "Well, Gabrielle can easily come here when her 
 school is over. I think that will do just as well, will 
 it not, little sister?" 
 
 1 'I don't know," said Edna, doubtfully. "Why, 
 no, of course it won't. Gabrielle told me she always 
 looked forward so to Monday, because her father came 
 home that afternoon, and you were there too, and you 
 three had such nice times together. I don't see why 
 you want to go and spoil it all. I only wish / had the 
 chance!" 
 
 "I sincerely wish you had, Edna." Eudora spoke 
 pleasantly, but there was a troubled look in her eyes, 
 so seldom seen there that Edna concluded to drop the 
 subject, though wondering within herself as to the 
 cause. 
 
 Eudora had as yet said nothing to Mrs. Warrings- 
 ford in regard to this change, and now she began to 
 hesitate, and wonder whether, after all, she would be 
 acting wisely. She had up to this time only con- 
 sidered the matter in one light. Now Edna's words 
 had caused her to regard it in another, and she began 
 seriously to doubt the wisdom of her decision. It 
 probably would displease Mrs. Warringsford, especially 
 as she could give no satisfactory reason for the change ; 
 it would disappoint Gabrielle, it would cause specu- 
 lations in both houses as to the cause, in fact, make a 
 general disturbance. And, after all, had she cause 
 enough to warrant her taking such a step ? In her 
 perplexity she did what she ought to have done in the 
 
174 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 first place consulted her Guide ; and in the quiet, as 
 she listened for the still small voice, it told her, 
 Wait. 
 
 So matters went on as usual, and La Fiesta was at 
 hand. 
 
 "Miss Eudora," said Mr. Ernest, as he came into 
 the nursery one Monday afternoon the young girl 
 was sewing as usual, while Gabrielle was chattering 
 away to her "perhaps you are not aware that 
 La Fiesta begins to-morrow. It is, nevertheless, a 
 fact." 
 
 Eudora looked up smiling, and Gabrielle clapped her 
 hands gleefully. 
 
 ' 'Yes, I had heard so, Mr. Ernest, from our vege- 
 table Chinaman and other trades-people. They all 
 seem much excited at the near approach of the great 
 event. How long does it last ? ' ' 
 
 "Five days, Miss Eudora. But on the first day the 
 exercises are merely preliminary, and comparatively 
 few care to attend them. On the second comes the 
 main day-procession, and in the evening the concert. 
 On the third day there is an athletic performance, and 
 at night the brilliantly illuminated parade, 'The Lands 
 of the Sun.' The next day is the children's celebra- 
 tion, and a ball, and it closes on the fifth day with the 
 famous flower parade, of which you have doubtless 
 heard. There is also that night the carnival of mask- 
 ers ; from which last the more reputable part of the 
 community are usually conspicuous by their absence, 
 although, of course, many go from curiosity to look 
 on." 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 175 
 
 "O papa," exclaimed Gabrielle," * 'you'll take us to 
 see it all, won't you? " 
 
 "Not all, little daughter. But I shall certainly take 
 you to see a large part of it, as I have already 
 promised you. Miss Eudora, you will hardly care to 
 attend the preliminary exercises to-morrow, but I 
 think you will enjoy seeing the parade on the follow- 
 ing afternoon, and attending in the evening the con- 
 cert at the pavilion. Then on the following evening, 
 'The lyands of the Sun' which is said to be a really 
 gorgeous sight and on the last afternoon the flower 
 parade. These I have marked as being the sights you 
 will probably most enjoy. Mr. Crescent and myself 
 have secured a bay window up-stairs in a place where 
 the processions and parades are seen to the very best 
 advantage. My mother will be with us part of the 
 time, and Mrs. Parlot all the time, I believe. Mr. 
 Crescent intends speaking to Miss Gladys on the sub- 
 ject this evening, and Lloyd is counting on escorting 
 Miss Edna, whom he greatly admires. Boys of his 
 age usually admire girls older than themselves, I 
 believe." 
 
 Gabrielle withdrew from her father's encircling 
 arms, and tears filled her eyes. 
 
 "Then / am to be left out," she said, with a sob 
 which she tried to restrain. 
 
 "Why, my little daughter!" exclaimed Mr. Ernest, 
 as he drew her to him again. "What put such an 
 idea into your head ? Did I not tell you that I would 
 take you ? We are all going together in a party. The 
 window is large enough for us all. I only meant that 
 L^loyd would consider Miss Edna his special charge." 
 
1 76 A BUSINESS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 "And am I your special charge?" asked Gabrielle, 
 the sore place in her little heart still aching. 
 
 "Certainly, dear; you and Grandmamma and Miss 
 Eudora if she will kindly allow me the pleasure. ' ' 
 
 He bent his dark eyes inquiringly upon Eudora, 
 who, having no answer prepared, merely murmured 
 her thanks, and kept on diligently with her sewing. 
 
 In the evening, Mr. Crescent called. After some 
 general conversation in regard to L,a Fiesta, he said: 
 
 "Mr. Ernest and myself have arranged a pro- 
 gramme, young ladies, which we think includes every- 
 thing likely to be of special interest to all. " 
 
 He then sketched about the same plan of proceed- 
 ings which Eudora had already heard from Mr. Ernest, 
 and continued, as he saw Edna looking anxious: "We 
 shall manage about you, Miss Edna. It might be bad 
 policy to close the store entirely; but at the time of 
 the chief processions, which are only in the afternoons 
 or evenings, it would be useless to try to keep it open. 
 The first day will be your main harvest, as strangers 
 are then walking about the city on tours of explora- 
 tion, not caring much usually for the opening exer- 
 cises. On the second and fifth days you may safely 
 close it for the afternoon, but the remainder of the 
 time I would advise it kept open. You will thus 
 see what you will care the most about in the daytime, 
 and have all your evenings free besides. How will 
 that do, Miss Edna?" 
 
 "Delightfully," said Edna. "I had no idea I was 
 going to see so much. And I think you are very, 
 very kind, Mr. Crescent." 
 
 "The obligation is on my side, I assure you, Miss 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 177 
 
 Kdna. You have no idea what an interest it is to a 
 lonely old fellow like myself to have some lively 
 young folks about him, to give him a chance to 
 live over his own youth in theirs. I think if it had 
 not been for your being here, I should have returned 
 to New York to spend the winter, in spite of all the 
 doctors in the world. But business must be attended 
 to, Miss Edna," he added, in a joking tone; "and you 
 and I are partners, you know." 
 
 There was a long silence after Mr. Crescent took his 
 departure, during which two of the girls looked ex- 
 tremely grave. Each had her special reason therefor, 
 and each was in the dark as to the other's reasons. 
 Edna broke silence at last. 
 
 "Well, girls, what are you thinking about? One 
 might suppose you had just heard something very 
 disagreeable, instead of having had a most delightful 
 invitation. ' ' 
 
 "/ was thinking," said Gladys, slowly, "that I 
 should very much prefer not attending any of these gay 
 sights. I am in no mood for them, and I would have 
 told Mr. Crescent so, only I dislike greatly disap- 
 pointing him, when he has taken so much trouble 
 chiefly for our benefit. What shall I do, Eudora ?' ' 
 
 Eudora hesitated. "I hardly think," she said at 
 last, "that you can refuse now, when you made no 
 objection at first, thus tacitly accepting his kindness." 
 But even as she said it, she felt that the same reason- 
 ing applied to herself, and she came to an abrupt con- 
 clusion. 
 
 "And then, think how you would disappoint him," 
 
1 78 A BUSINESS V3NTURK; OR, 
 
 said Edna, eagerly. "Why, Gladys, it would spoil 
 everything for him. I know it would. ' ' 
 
 And deep down in her heart, Gladys knew it too! 
 
 That night she was restless and nervous to a degree 
 unusual of late. For she had been growing so much 
 calmer and more cheerful that Kudora had great hopes 
 that the trouble was gradually passing from her, and 
 that it had been more imaginary than real. But now 
 she had started up at intervals in the same distress as 
 at first, sometimes moaning and uttering incoherent 
 words. Late in the night she fell asleep quietly, and 
 then Eudora's thoughts reverted to her own case. 
 What had she best do ? For it was useless now shut- 
 ting her eyes to what she feared was a fact, that in- 
 definiteness was fast becoming definiteness, and she 
 felt that something ought to be done before the former 
 had actually merged into the latter. But what ? 
 
 Her troubled brain surged back and forth, suggest- 
 ing first this plan, then that, each one only to be re- 
 jected in its turn. She was fast becoming nervous and 
 feverish, going back to the former restless anxious 
 questionings as to whether she was doing right or 
 wrong, to the surgings and tossings, the vacillations 
 and uncertainties of her "day of Time." Suddenly 
 she remembered. "Have I again so soon forgotten 
 my Guide?" she thought. "My Counselor in every 
 perplexity, my dear unfailing Friend !" 
 
 Then laying all her perplexities, anxieties and fears 
 into the strong Hands which never had refused to 
 hold them, in the dawn of that new "Day of Christ," 
 within her heart, she fell into a quiet sleep. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 179 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 "Eudora," said Edna, next morning, after Gladys 
 had gone to her class-room and the two were washing 
 the dishes together, "did you notice how badly 
 Gladys looked this morning? Has anything new 
 happened ?' ' 
 
 "Not that I know of," replied Eudora. "But she 
 was very restless last night, and shows the effects this 
 morning. ' ' 
 
 "O dear!" said Edna, with a deep sigh. "I did 
 so hope she was all over that! And now she looks as 
 badly as ever!" 
 
 ' 'We must not expect too much," said Eudora cheer- 
 fully. "People take relapses sometimes, but I hardly 
 think this will last long. If it should, dear, it will 
 doubtless be for some good purpose. Faith and 
 patience, little sister ! 
 
 "To wait on God, no time is lost. 
 Wait on, wait on!" 
 
 "Eudora," said Edna, after a pause, "I am going 
 to make a confession. Perhaps you won't like it, 
 though ?' ' She paused and looked inquiringly at her 
 sister. 
 
 "Say on, Edna. I don't think I shall mind it." 
 "Well, then, you too have been looking rather 
 well, rather grumpy of late not exactly grumpy 
 either but grave, and as if you were not happy. Es- 
 pecially last night, and I was beginning to think that 
 
l8o A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 perhaps you didn't feel any more as you used to, or 
 that your way wasn't any better than anyone else's 
 way. But this morning you look as bright as ever, 
 and I suppose I made a mistake. There now ! Are 
 you vexed?" 
 
 Hudora smiled. "No, indeed, Edna. Not at all. 
 You are partly right and partly wrong. I have not 
 been quite so happy as usual just lately, being per- 
 plexed and not knowing what was best to do. And 
 through my neglect, my lamp of faith has not been 
 burning as brightly as it might. I had lost, for the 
 moment, my firm grip of the guiding Hand that is 
 always waiting to take my own and lead me in ex- 
 actly the path I ought to go, and have been taking 
 upon myself the responsibility of finding my own way, 
 and tiring myself in the effort. But it is all right 
 now, little sister, and I hope you will see no more 
 'grumpy' looks from me." 
 
 "O well, they weren't very grumpy not cross, I 
 mean, the way you used to look long ago. I used 
 constantly to be afraid of doing or saying something 
 that would bring down on myself one of your disap- 
 proving looks or speeches. ' ' 
 
 "You poor child! " said Kudora, laughing, "I must 
 have been very disagreeable, though at the time I did 
 not realize it. It does not do to cultivate the negative 
 side of one's character. I think I must have resem- 
 bled the lady I read about, who was in the habit of 
 saying to her child's nurse, 'Mary, see what Charlie is 
 doing, and tell him not to do it. ' ' 
 
 Edna laughed heartily. "That was just about it, 
 Eudora. I was always expecting to hear you say, 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. l8l 
 
 don't; and I did everything under a sense of condem- 
 nation, not soothing, to say the least." 
 
 "I should think not, indeed. The fact is, Edna, I 
 was fonder of the 'shalt not' of the law, than the 
 'shalt' of the Gospel. Now it is the other way, and I 
 am finding out more and more from day to day that 
 the affirmative includes the negative or rather, does 
 away with all need for the negative. But we must 
 hurry a little, Edna. This is your 'harvest day' at 
 the store, you know, and it is nearly time for me to go 
 to work too; I sew at Mrs. Warringsford's to-day as 
 well as yesterday, as I am making over some of the 
 children' s clothes. I have concluded to make no change 
 in that respect for the present. ' ' 
 
 "I am so glad," said Edna, "for I am sure they 
 wouldn't like it. Gabrielle said last night, how glad 
 she was that you were to be there again to-day, for she 
 was going to help you sew. ' ' 
 
 ' 'Yes, Mrs. Warringsford is anxious that she should 
 learn how to use her needle, and she is really showing 
 quite an aptitude for the art. I am cutting her out 
 some clothes for her doll, and she is making them very 
 neatly." 
 
 Then Eudora, with a good-bye kiss to Edna, went 
 off to carry out the advice of Goethe, "Do the duty 
 that lies nearest thee," or in old English parlance, 
 "Do the nexte thynge," knowing that this was the 
 first step towards the unraveling of that tangle of per- 
 plexity which seemed to be winding itself around her 
 of late. About four o'clock, in walked Mr. Ernest, 
 tired of sight-seeing, he said. 
 
 "O papa!" exclaimed Gabrielle, running to meet 
 
1 82 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 him. "How glad I am! You didn't say you were 
 coming home so early. See how nicely I have made 
 my dolly's dress." And she held it up for inspection. 
 
 "Very nicely, indeed, my little daughter. I am 
 much pleased at your proficiency. It is most kind of 
 Miss Kudora to take such pains with you, and I hope 
 you appreciate her kindness. ' ' 
 
 "Yes, indeed," said Gabrielle, earnestly. "And I 
 just wish that she lived here all the time. Don't you, 
 papa?" 
 
 If Mr. Ernest's composure were ruffled in the very 
 slightest degree, he gave no sign thereof, but replied 
 in his usual measured tones, "Indeed I do, daughter 
 if Miss Kudora would like it herself. But, Gabrielle, 
 it seems to me that dolly needs a pair of new shoes to 
 go with that fine dress. Shall I take her measure, 
 aud get her a pair when I go up town again !" 
 
 "O, thank you, papa. Yes, she really does need a 
 pair. But let me measure her, for I don't think you 
 would know how. I mean," she hastened to explain, 
 fearing that she might have hurt her father's feelings, 
 "that men don't usually know much about dollies; 
 now do they, papa ?' ' 
 
 "No indeed, daughter. So take your own way 
 about it. Miss Kudora, you have not missed much to- 
 day. There was noise, and rushing and crowding, but 
 nothing of very special interest according, at least, 
 to my idea." 
 
 "Are there many strangers in the city, Mr. Krnest !" 
 
 "Any amount of them, Miss Kudora. The hotels 
 are crowded. I met several New York friends this 
 morning. They have been traveling through South- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 183 
 
 ern California, making short stays at various points 
 chiefly at the sea- side resorts, which are more interest- 
 ing to some people in winter than in summer, es- 
 pecially to those who prefer avoiding a crowd and 
 have timed their visit to I^os Angeles so as to witness 
 L,a Fiesta. I should think it likely that some of your 
 former friends might be among them. If so, you may 
 possibly run across them to-morrow. ' ' 
 
 "Perhaps in the evening," said Kudora. "But, 
 Mr. Ernest, I have decided that it would be better not 
 to make any change in my sewing arrangements. 
 The houses where I am engaged for the remainder of 
 this week, are directly in the line of the processions 
 so I am told I shall therefore have a good view of 
 them, without stopping my work to any great extent. 
 But for the evenings I shall gratefully accept your kind- 
 ness, and join the rest of the party in sight-seeing." 
 
 Eudora had continued her sewing during her speech, 
 and only looked up when it was ended. If she had 
 needed anything to confirm her in the assurance 
 that she had made a right decision, the change in Mr. 
 Ernest's face would have been enough. There was a 
 perceptible pause, after which he replied in his coldest, 
 haughtiest tones, "you will, of course, act according 
 to your own pleasure, Miss Eudora." Then after a 
 few remarks to Gabrielle, he bowed and left the 
 room. 
 
 "I wonder what is the matter with papa," said 
 Gabrielle, who had not been attending to the previous 
 conversation. "He looks just as he does when some- 
 thing makes him angry. Did you vex him, Miss Eu- 
 dora?" But Eudora was spared the necessity of re- 
 
184 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 plying by L,ogan running in to announce that an 
 organ- man with a monkey was dow r n stairs, upon 
 which both children ran off together. 
 
 Meantime, Edna was having an experience of her own 
 at the store. She was, as Mr. Crescent had predicted, 
 kept extremely busy all morning. Strangers wander- 
 ing about the streets and coming across this unex- 
 pected little store with its attractive window, and 
 a certain something about it impossible to define, 
 but differing from stores in general, and noticing 
 many little artistic souvenirs in the shape of pressed 
 flowers, sea-mosses and shells, or small paintings 
 of California scenery, made numerous purchases, 
 so that Edna's money box began to fill up in 
 a delightful manner. As she bent over it during a 
 lull in the business, giving a guess at its contents, the 
 door opened and a young lady entered. As she ap- 
 proached the counter, and Edna looked up, the recog- 
 nition was mutual. 
 
 "Why, L,aura Savin!" 
 
 "Why, Edna Grayston!" 
 
 And the former friends kissed each other delightedly. 
 L,aura had been Edna's most intimate companion in 
 New York, and many had been the promises of corre- 
 spondence between them, promises as yet unfulfilled 
 on either side. When the warm greetings were ended, 
 L,aura looked curiously around her. 
 
 "Why, Edna, what are you doing here? Playing 
 philanthropist, I suppose, to let some poor girl get an 
 outing!" 
 
 "No, indeed," said Edna, laughing; but she felt a 
 flush of something like shame mounting to her face. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 185 
 
 ' 'I am the poor girl myself, and this is my own store. ' ' 
 
 Laura gave her an astonished stare. 
 
 "Not really, Edna? You are surely joking." 
 
 ' 'Indeed, I am not, Laura. My father died suddenly 
 last summer, and, owing to other people's failures, 
 was so involved that we were left almost penniless. 
 If he had lived longer, he would have righted matters, 
 but" 
 
 Edna stopped short, as the tears, from various causes, 
 ran down her cheeks. 
 
 ''You poor dear!" said her friend, impulsively. "I 
 am awfully sorry! It's a dreadful shame, so it is! I'm 
 so glad I happened to come in. Mamma is making a 
 call a few doors off, and as I didn't want to go in, I 
 told her I would walk about until she came out. We 
 have been traveling about nearly all winter, and came 
 here to see La Fiesta before returning to New York. 
 I shall go now, and wait in the carriage until she comes 
 out, when I shall bring her in to see you. ' ' 
 
 And Laura went off, on kindly thought and deed in- 
 tent. Edna would gladly have been excused from 
 seeing the mother. She remembered her as a pompous, 
 worldly woman, utterly different from the daughter, 
 who was a favorite with all. But she could not, of 
 course, make any objection. 
 
 Laura met her mother on the sidewalk, just about 
 to enter the carriage. 
 
 ' 'Wait a moment, mamma. I want to tell you some- 
 thing." And, drawing her to one side, she gave her 
 a hasty account of what had happened. 
 
 "It is very sad, indeed, my dear. But could you 
 not have told me all this on our way home?' ' 
 
1 86 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 "Why, mamma! I want you to come in to see her, 
 and invite her to call on us at the hotel, and show her 
 some attention, and ' ' 
 
 "My dear," said Mrs. Savin, as L,aura paused, "I 
 shall of course go in and see your friend, if you wish 
 it; but as to inviting her to call, and such things, it 
 would hardly be suitable, nor probably would she have 
 time to accept invitations. There are conventionali- 
 ties, dear" 
 
 They had been walking on while speaking, and at 
 this moment arrived at the door, at which Edna was 
 waiting to receive them. Laura's down-cast counte- 
 nance apprised her that something was amiss, though 
 the young girl tried to smile at her as brightly as 
 before. 
 
 "How do you do, Miss Grayston?" said Mrs. Savin, 
 extending graciously the tips of her fingers. "I am 
 extremely sorry to hear of your sad loss. The vicis- 
 situdes of life are great ah, yes, indeed, very great." 
 
 Here the lady gave a profound sigh, then paused, 
 and looked around her. 
 
 ' 'But what a charming little store you have! L,aura, 
 my dear, I am sure you will find something here yon 
 will like to purchase. What beautifully pressed wild 
 flowers! And those sea-mosses and shells! I have 
 never seen any quite so pretty. L,et me have one 
 of each style, Miss Grayston, if you please. And 
 I shotild like that small painting of Ramona's cottage; 
 it seems a favorite subject for painting on orange- 
 wood, for I have seen several in the shop windows; 
 but this is the prettiest. Have you found any books 
 that you fancy, Laura? No? Well, then, Miss Gray- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 187 
 
 ston," laying down a five-dollar bill, "I presume this 
 will pay for these things. No, I beg of you," as 
 Edna opened her money-box to take out the change; 
 "pray do me the favor of keeping it" pausing 
 abruptly as Edna, with flaming cheeks, took out two 
 dollars and handed it to her. 
 
 "Your purchases come to three dollars exactly," 
 she said, in a tone so strange and cold that it startled 
 even herself. "Here are two dollars change. Thank 
 you." 
 
 Mrs. Savin looked somewhat disconcerted. "Ex- 
 cuse me," she said, shortly; "no offense was intended. 
 Good morning, Miss Gray ston. Come, Laura." And 
 she was about to sweep majestically away when I^aura, 
 who had been standing with her back to the others, 
 apparently absorbed in examining the books on the 
 opposite shelf, though inwardly fretting and fuming 
 at the attitude her mother had assumed towards her 
 dearest friend, now came forward and kissed Edna im- 
 pulsively. 
 
 "Good-bye for the present, dear Edna. But I shall 
 be back again just as soon as ever I can perhaps to- 
 morrow." 
 
 "O, my dear," interposed her mother, pausing at 
 the door, "your time will be taken up entirely with 
 sight- seeing, you know; and we shall be leaving in a 
 few days; so I hardly think 3^ou will be able to return 
 again, much as you would doubtless like to do ao." 
 
 Then she sailed away, followed a moment later by 
 lyaura, who had delayed to give her friend a parting 
 hug, and to whisper, "But I shall come back if I pos- 
 sibly can, you darling girl." 
 
1 88 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 Edna stood for a while in a state of mind hard to 
 describe. It was her first experience of the kind. 
 Hitherto, the only persons she had met with socially, 
 with the exception of Mrs. Parlot, had been in the 
 evening, at Mrs. Warringsford's house. They had 
 naturally treated her as she was treated by their 
 hostess. Besides, Mrs. Warringsford's friends were 
 not chosen on account of their riches, and any one of 
 them who had shown vulgarity enough to slight a 
 young lady on account of her poverty would never 
 have been invited to her house again. Edna's expe- 
 rience had therefore been a happy one, and now both 
 surprise and indignation were struggling hard within 
 her. She was still standing there, growing more 
 angry every moment, when Gladys came in from her 
 class-room. 
 
 "Why, Edna, what is the matter?" For her sister's 
 cheeks were flushed and her eyes full of angry tears. 
 
 Then the whole story was poured out, losing nothing 
 in the recital. Here, at least, she was sure of sympa- 
 thy, Gladys having always had more pride than either 
 of her sisters. Now, to her surprise, and also to her 
 great disappointment, her sister listened very coolly 
 to her story, seeming, indeed, entirely unmoved 
 thereby. 
 
 "Well, Edna, it wasn't very pleasant, was it? But 
 it is just what I should have expected from Mrs. 
 Savin. She was a vulgar woman, trying hard to get 
 into society, but not succeeding, with all her money. 
 Don't you remember how Mademoiselle used to object 
 at first to your associating with I^aura on account of 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 189 
 
 her mother, and how hard you had to beg before suc- 
 ceeding in getting your own way ?' ' 
 
 "Yes, but she was more than satisfied afterwards, 
 when she found how lovely Laura was. ' ' 
 
 "But we never visited there much, you know, al- 
 though Mrs. Savin tried hard to induce us to go. So 
 it is only what you might have expected, and I wouldn' t 
 mind it at all, Ducksie." 
 
 "Why, Gladys, I thought you would be the very 
 one to be angry, and you don't seem to care in the 
 very least. ' ' 
 
 "I know I used to be very foolish about these mat- 
 ters, Edna" Gladys spoke very gravely now "but 
 when real sorrow comes, these comparative trifles sink 
 into utter insignificance. I know it is hard for you, 
 though; only a few months ago I should have felt just 
 the same. But now " She stopped abruptly, and 
 turned away. 
 
 If anything could have been effectual in restoring 
 Edna's equanimity, it was this avowal of Gladys. 
 Never before had she spoken of her trouble directly 
 to Edna, and so great was the impression made that 
 the other affair was nearly forgotten. Only for the 
 moment, though. By the time Eudora returned, ex- 
 asperation had once more gained the upper hand, and 
 the story was again poured out. 
 
 "It was certainly very poor taste to offer you the 
 money," said Eudora, "though I daresay she meant 
 it kindly. But, in what you have told me, Edna, I 
 really cannot see that she said anything actually rude, 
 or that even was not polite, according to her standard 
 of politeness." 
 
IQO A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 "It was not what she said," replied Edna, in a 
 vexed tone, feeling that she had not made out a case. 
 "It was her whole manner but you can't tell any- 
 thing about it unless you had seen the whole thing." 
 
 "I think I do understand, dear. And I know it 
 must have been exceedingly annoying. And yet it 
 is really and truly not worth minding, Kdna. At any 
 rate, it is past and gone, and you will do well to adopt 
 one of my mottoes for your own, little sister, 'forget- 
 ting those things which are behind.' I find it such a 
 help to keep that in mind; actually to forget dis- 
 agreeable pasts, when the remembrance can do us no 
 good, only taking from them whatever lesson we can, 
 and letting the rest go. Just as the juices of some 
 poisonous plants are extracted to use as medicines, 
 and the remainder thrown away." 
 
 "Well," said Edna, energetically and still somewhat 
 angrily, "I'll take the lesson of never hurting any- 
 body's feelings, if I can possibly help it. And here 
 goes for the rest ! ' ' And picking up a crumpled piece 
 of paper, she tossed it vigorously into the stove. 
 "There, it's gone!" as the paper blazed up and 
 shriveled into ashes. "Good-bye, Mrs. Savin! I've 
 seen the last of you, I hope! Come, girls, dinner's 
 ready. ' ' 
 
 And Eudora took the lesson to herself. She might 
 have been perplexed and troubled had she given 
 thought the rein, and allowed it to wander unre- 
 strained. For present and future interests seemed im- 
 periled by the step, trifling as it seemed, that she had 
 taken. She had perhaps alienated a kind and good 
 friend, a friend whose help had been invaluable in the 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. IQI 
 
 past, and would be, possibly, more so in the future. 
 She had, perhaps, injured her sisters' interests as well 
 as her own, and, at least, put in jeopardy the one 
 great pleasure of Edna's life. This and more she 
 might have dwelt upon and brooded over until the 
 clouds had gathered thick and dark enough to cover 
 all the fair sky of hope. But not so had she learned 
 her lesson. 
 
 "I did what I considered right," she thought. 
 "And therefore I can safely leave the result with Him 
 who sees the end from the beginning, and who will 
 manage everything for me in the best possible 
 
IQ2 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Gladys and Edna were all ready when Mr. Crescent 
 called for them. 
 
 "L,loyd had to escort his mother," he explained. 
 "But they will join us at our meeting-place. It is but 
 a few blocks from here, so I thought you would not 
 mind the walk." 
 
 Crowds were hurrying in the same direction, and 
 when the three reached their destination, it was some- 
 what difficult to make their way to the door. As soon 
 as they had entered, it was locked behind them; other- 
 wise the surging crowd might possibly have forced 
 their way into the building. In the large bay window 
 in the second story, were assembled Mr. and Mrs. 
 Warringsford, Mr. Ernest with the two children, and 
 Mrs. Parlot and Lloyd. The gentlemen rose to greet 
 the girls, and to find them comfortable seats. Lloyd 
 attached himself to Edna, while Logan took posses- 
 sion of her other side. Mr. Crescent seated Gladys 
 beside Mrs. Parlot, and then went over to speak to 
 Mr. and Mrs. Warringsford, leaving Mr. Ernest to 
 divide his attentions between Gabrielle who was 
 looking extremely disconsolate and the two ladies who 
 were seated nearest him. But he seemed moody and 
 as though his thoughts were elsewhere. 
 
 "You see," said Mr. Crescent, returning to Gladys, 
 "we might have secured seats on that 'Tribune' below. 
 But Mrs. Warringsford preferred this more private 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 193 
 
 place, and I think it is probably pleasanter for all of 
 you, unless for the children." 
 
 "This is delightful," said Gladys. "Much pleas- 
 anter than outside, according to my ideas." 
 
 "But I am most sorry to find that Miss Kudora is 
 not of the party. I supposed that we should find her 
 here with the Warringsfords. Was not that the un- 
 derstanding, Miss Gladys?" 
 
 "I thought so until yesterday, Mr. Crescent, when 
 Eudora told us that she did not intend coming. I am 
 sorry also, but she must take her own way, you 
 know." 
 
 The changed attitude of the crowd below, now bend- 
 ing forward and gazing steadily in the one direction, 
 betokened the approach of the procession. As the 
 fair Queen, surrounded by her court and her sixteen 
 beautiful maids of honor, came in sight, the people 
 broke into a wild cheer, handkerchiefs and flags were 
 waved, while the Queen bowed right and left in recog- 
 nition of the honor paid her. Then followed the 
 United States Marines and National Guard after- 
 wards Chinese, Indians, the Fire department, Cabal- 
 leros, prosperity floats, et cetera, et cetera. 
 
 It was, indeed, a fine affair, and well worth seeing. 
 
 "Notice this Chinese part of the parade," said Mr. 
 Crescent, as the immense dragon came slowly in sight, 
 set off with the shimmer of silver, the glimmer of gold 
 and the glitter of steel, together with the sparkle of 
 real jewels. "The Chinese are in earnest in every- 
 thing they do. That brightness and glitter is due to 
 no tinsel paper or other pretensions all is solid and 
 real, just as it appears." 
 
194 A BUSINESS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 "It seems to me," remarked Gladys, "that the 
 Chinese are rather popular in L,os Angeles. I had 
 quite the opposite idea before coming here. ' ' 
 
 "It is a common mistake of Eastern people that the 
 Chinaman is not wanted in California. He is popu- 
 lar in L,os Angeles at least, as far as my observation 
 extends. And justly so, for he is quiet and respectful 
 in behavior, attending strictly to his own business, 
 though taking an interest in all that concerns the 
 prosperity of the city of his adoption. See with what 
 dignity those men are walking beside their dragon, 
 and what a fine appearance they make in their gor- 
 geous silken robes. I tell you, Miss Gladys, L,os 
 Angeles would be badly off without her Chinese popu- 
 lation, and I^os Angeles has the sense to understand 
 that, and to treat them decently." 
 
 "Yes, they seem very happy here," replied Gladys. 
 "I am really getting quite to like our vegetable and 
 fruit Chinaman. He seems to take an interest in our 
 welfare, and often advises us as to what vegetables or 
 fruit he considers it most advantageous for us to buy. 
 He particularly likes Edna, whom he evidently regards 
 as a mere child, and when she is not around, he asks. 
 'Where little Missee? She got sense, little Missee, 
 she have.' Which does not sound very nattering to 
 Eudora and myself, but I have no idea he means to 
 make comparisons; he only wishes to show his parti- 
 ality for Edna." 
 
 The procession was long in passing. But so varied 
 was it, that there was no fatigue from monotony. 
 The mixture of races and nationalities taking part 
 therein, gave a flavor of originality to the whole, ren- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 195 
 
 deling it entirely distinct from ordinary processions, 
 so that, from first to last, the interest was sustained, 
 especially with those to whom the sight was a novel one. 
 
 After all was over, full an hour elapsed before the 
 streets were sufficiently cleared to make them com- 
 fortable for walking. A general social time was there- 
 fore indulged in, Mrs. Parlot 'being, as usual, the 
 life of the party, ably seconded by Edna and Mr. 
 Crescent. Mr. Warringsford had been obliged to 
 leave at once, pleading an engagement. The re- 
 mainder of those present were mostly silent, listening 
 to the lively conversation of the others. Gladys had 
 her own reasons for not being gay, though she made 
 strenuous efforts to overcome her gloom, and by her 
 enjoyment of the scene to prove to her friends that 
 their kindness was appreciated. She succeeded, in so 
 far that none but Mr. Crescent and Edna suspected 
 anything amiss. That gentleman's deep and growing 
 interest in all concerning her, gave him a clearness of 
 vision causing him to penetrate beneath the surface; 
 and apprehend the real gloom underlying the appa- 
 rent brightness. Mrs. Warringsford also was more 
 silent than usual, though never anything but kind, 
 friendly, and considerate to all. She had given many 
 furtive glances at her son, while the procession was 
 passing, and with a mother's quickness of perception, 
 had drawn her own conclusions conclusions, however, 
 not entirely correct. 
 
 Before the party separated, the evening's programme 
 was arranged. They were all to meet at Mrs. War- 
 ringsford's about seven o'clock, and proceed in a body 
 to the Pavilion a large public building where a 
 
196 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 grand concert was to be given. " And where people 
 do not go so much for the music," said Mr. Crescent, 
 "as for the sight of the assembled multitude, the 
 Queen and her court, and for the general scenic dis- 
 play." 
 
 When the girls arrived at home, Eudora was already 
 there, preparing dinner; for her sisters had had only a 
 hasty luncheon, she was sure, and would be likely to 
 need their dinner earlier than usual. 
 
 "Why, Eudora," exclaimed Edna, "we had no idea 
 you would be home by this time! And it looks as if 
 you had been here quite a while, to judge by the ad- 
 vanced state of the dinner. ' ' 
 
 "My sewing gave out," replied Eudora; "so there 
 was nothing to do but to come home. I have been 
 here nearly an hour. I hope you have had a lovely 
 time." 
 
 ' ' Perfectly splendid, ' ' replied Edna. ' ' You ought to 
 have been there, Eudora. I was just wishing for you 
 all the time." 
 
 "That was very kind of you," said her sister, smil- 
 ingly. "But I had an excellent view of the proces- 
 sion, and feel entirely satisfied." 
 
 "Each one to her taste," said Edna shrugging her 
 shoulders. "I hope you are going with us to-night, 
 though. There is such a thing as carrying eccen- 
 tricity too far. ' ' 
 
 Eudora laughed heartily, and even Gladys joined in. 
 
 "This is a new accusation, Edna. I was not aware 
 that you considered me eccentric! But I shall try to 
 prove to you that it is a false accusation, by assuring 
 you that it is my fixed intention to accompany you all 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 197 
 
 to-night. Does that remove the suspicion from your 
 mind?" 
 
 "Well, it is doing better, I admit. I hope you will 
 keep it up. But since we are having dinner so early, 
 girls, there will be a full hour after it, before it will be 
 time to get ready for the concert. And I want you 
 both to turn in and give me some help. ' ' 
 
 "At what, if you please, ma'am?" asked Kudora, 
 jestingly. 
 
 "Well, you know, Mr. Crescent said that yesterday 
 would be my harvest day. I did sell a good deal more 
 than usual. But I heard several ladies speak of bring- 
 ing friends to see the mosses and pressed flowers, and 
 as I am nearly out of them, I thought if we three set 
 to work diligently, we might make quite an assort- 
 ment in an hour; especially of the mosses, of which I 
 have plenty ready pressed. They sell better than the 
 flowers, though I have sold a good many of those 
 too." 
 
 Gladys and Eudora expressed their willingness to 
 help, and after a rather hurried dinner, all set earnestly 
 to work. At the end of an hour, a dozen beautiful cards 
 rewarded their labors all more or less different, ac- 
 cording to their several tastes, Gladys taking the lead 
 in artistic designs. Edna was more than pleased with 
 the result. 
 
 "There's so much money in my pocket," she said, 
 as she surveyed the fine row of cards, large and small, 
 before her. "It is about so much clear gain. That's 
 the beauty of it." 
 
 At half-past seven, all were assembled in Mrs. War- 
 ringsford's parlor, with the exception of Mr. War- 
 
198 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 ringsford, who had not returned, and, of course, of 
 Mrs. Parlot and L,loyd, who were to join them at the 
 Pavilion. 
 
 "We need not be in any special hurry," said Mr. 
 Crescent, "as we have reserved seats. A quarter of 
 an hour hence will be time enough." 
 
 Gabrielle had been hanging about her father, beg- 
 ging him to allow her to accompany the party; but he 
 remained firm in his refusal. 
 
 "I will not take you out at night into such a crowd, 
 daughter," he said, "so it is useless teasing about 
 it. Home is the only proper place for twelve-year- 
 old girls." 
 
 "But, papa, you said you would take me to lots of 
 places," she sobbed out. 
 
 "So I did, Gabrielle. And so I will in the day- 
 time; but not at night. So say no more about it, 
 little daughter." 
 
 Gabrielle was too well trained not to obey, but she 
 sobbed bitterly, and was about leaving the room, when 
 Kudora, drawing the distressed child to her. side, with 
 a few w r hispered words calmed the outburst, and soon 
 restored her to composure. 
 
 "The cars will take us within a few steps of the 
 Pavilion," said Mr. Ernest. "A carriage is hardly safe 
 amid such crowds. I suppose, Mr. Crescent, it is 
 about time for us to leave. ' ' 
 
 It was natural that the son should give his arm to 
 his mother, his father being absent. Eudora followed 
 with Edna, while Gladys brought up the rear with 
 Mr. Crescent through no design of her own, but 
 simply because that gentleman took it as a matter of 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 199 
 
 course, and she was too kind-hearted to disappoint 
 him, and too really indifferent at present to care, on 
 her own account, one way or another. 
 
 When they entered, the hall was already crowded to 
 its utmost capacity, gallery included. Mr. Ernest had 
 explained that their seats were not all in a row, but 
 that he had been obliged to take three in one row, and 
 three in another, while Mrs. Parlot and Lloyd had 
 two near by. Seating his mother, it was then most 
 natural to hand Kudora in next, after which there was 
 nothing to be done but to seat himself beside her. 
 Gladys and Edna and Mr. Crescent had already 
 entered the seats back of them. Mrs. Warringsford 
 seemed much pleased with the way matters were ar- 
 ranged. 
 
 "I am so glad to have you beside me, dear," she 
 whispered. "I almost felt to-day that you wanted to 
 give us the slip. I quite missed you." 
 
 " Thank you, Mrs. Warringsford," replied Eudora, 
 with rather a sinking of heart. "It is very good of 
 you to want me with you, and I am happy to be with 
 you, I assure you." 
 
 There was no time for more, as the music began, 
 continuing with only one interval until the close. 
 Meantime Edna was going through her own experi- 
 ence. Exactly behind her and Gladys were seated 
 Mrs. Savin and Laura. They had come in after 
 Edna's entrance, and had not as yet perceived her. 
 
 "Laura, do look," said her mother in a loud 
 whisper, which Edna heard even above the music. 
 "Is not that Mrs. Warringsford from New York?" 
 
200 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 "I'm sure I don't know, mamma. Who is Mrs. 
 Warringsford ?" 
 
 "Why, Laura, you must surely have heard of her. 
 She was at the very tip-top of New York society a few 
 years ago. I remember now hearing of her coming to 
 Los Angeles. I wonder who that pretty, stylish-look- 
 ing girl is beside her " as Kudora turned towards 
 Mrs. Warringsford. 
 
 But, just then, Edna, who knew that Laura would 
 recognize her sooner or later, and the more said .the 
 worse it would be, turned around and smiled at her 
 friend, though feeling somewhat confused. 
 
 "Edna," exclaimed Laura, in a delighted whisper, 
 "I am so glad!" And she was about to say more, 
 when her mother interposed. 
 
 "Attend to the music, my dear. Good evening, 
 Miss Grayston; I am sorry Laura cannot talk with 
 you further, but it will not do to interfere with other 
 people's enjoyment." Which was, of course, true; 
 but it was a little strange she had not thought of it 
 sooner. 
 
 Half an hour passed, and Mrs. Savin, who had been 
 making her own observations, and had noticed Edna 
 leaning forward and speaking to Eudora, now said to 
 Laura, in a very low whisper: "Who is she with, my 
 dear?" 
 
 "I suppose, with that lady you were speaking 
 about," replied Laura, in the same guarded tone. 
 "That is one of her sisters sitting beside Mrs. War- 
 ringsford." 
 
 "Beside Mrs. Warringsford!" said Mrs. Savin, un- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 2OI 
 
 consciously raising her voice in her excitement. "Not 
 possible, my dear." 
 
 Laura nudged her mother forcibly, but Edna had 
 already heard. 
 
 As soon as the twenty minutes' interval was an- 
 nounced, Mrs. Savin leaned forward to Gladys, who 
 was seated next to Edna. 
 
 "Miss Grayston, do pray excuse me for not recog- 
 nizing you sooner. But you are all so grown and im- 
 proved. And is that your sister Miss Eudora ? What 
 a beautiful girl she is! I moist really manage to speak 
 to her before we leave. ' ' 
 
 Now, Gladys had not caught any of the conversa- 
 tion going on behind her, and was, therefore, much 
 surprised at Mrs. Savin's cordiality. 
 
 "Edna misjudged her," she thought. "What an 
 imagination that child has!" 
 
 So Gladys responded with even more cordiality than 
 was usual with her; as a kind of compensation for 
 the injustice she felt they had all been doing to Mrs. 
 Savin. 
 
 Meanwhile, Laura and Edna had been improving 
 the time by getting in as many words in a limited 
 space as girls usually do. 
 
 "I am so sorry I cannot go to see you again," said 
 Laura, regretfully: "but we leave on Saturday, and 
 mamma says we have so many engagements. ' ' Just 
 then, noticing her mother in close and apparently cor- 
 dial conversation with Gladys, it struck her that pos- 
 sibly matters were now altered for even the most 
 unworldly child is apt to have an apprehension, though 
 perhaps not a comprehension, of the worldly mother's 
 
202 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 motives for caution. "But I will ask her again, 
 Edna." 
 
 Mrs. Savin, who seemed to have ears in all direc- 
 tions, caught at the words, and, turning to Edna, 
 said: "Certainly, Miss Edna; she shall go to see you 
 before leaving. She is engaged every afternoon and 
 evening but she can go in the morning, and I shall 
 see that she does so. ' ' 
 
 And I^aura, accustomed to her mother's sudden 
 change of plans, cared only for the fact that the in- 
 terdict against communication with her friend was re- 
 moved, and rejoiced accordingly. 
 
 "I can come to-morrow, I know I can," she said 
 gleefully. Then the music re-commenced, and con- 
 versation ceased. 
 
 When the concert was ended, Mrs. Savin made an 
 effort to speak with Eudora; but being delayed by 
 persons at the end of the row, the lady could not 
 reach her in time, much to her vexation, as she had 
 hoped through her means to procure an introduction 
 to Mrs. Warringsford. Edna might easily have man- 
 aged to detain Eudora, being close to her, but she 
 made no attempt to do so, guessing instinctively at 
 Mrs. Savin's motives. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 203 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 When the girls returned home Edna, of course, re- 
 turning with Mrs. Warringsford Gladys gave Eudora 
 an account of her meeting with Mrs. Savin; and Edna 
 not being present to give her own version of the 
 affair, both sisters felt that she had though, doubt- 
 less, unintentionally misrepresented Mrs. Savin. 
 Had there been no sequel, there might long have 
 lingered in their minds a doubt in regard to Edna's 
 entire reliability as a faithful narrator of events. 
 Upon such slender grounds is sometimes a character 
 gained or lost. 
 
 "Mr. Ernest and you did not seem to have much 
 to say to each other," remarked Gladys, with a keen 
 look at her sister. 
 
 "No, I think neither of us was disposed to conver- 
 sation, "replied Eudora, calmly. And Gladys said no 
 more. 
 
 Next morning, Edna ran in, full of eagerness to 
 tell her story. Breakfast was ready before she could 
 begin, and as they sat down, Gladys said somewhat 
 severely, "Edna, see where 3 r our imagination carried 
 you! Mrs. Savin was simply charming to me last 
 night. I never saw her more so in our palmiest days. 
 She wanted to insist upon sending a carriage round 
 to take us driving this morning, and afterwards to 
 have lunch with them at their hotel. Of course I 
 had to tell her we were all engaged in the morning, 
 and she seemed really disappointed, and w r as just as 
 
204 A BUSINESS VKNTURK; OR, 
 
 lovely as possible. I do wish, Edna, that for the 
 future you would curb your imagination, and not see 
 things which have no existence in reality! " 
 
 "Do you? " retorted Edna, a mixture of indignation 
 and triumph sparkling in her eyes. "Do you, indeed ? 
 And is that your opinion also, Miss Eudora? " in the 
 most sarcastic manner possible. 
 
 "I know you did not mean it, dear," replied her 
 sister, kindly but firmly. "Still, I agree with Gladys, 
 that it is best not to give reins to one's imagination, 
 as it is apt to lead one beyond the actual facts, and 
 at least to verge upon untruthf ulness. ' ' 
 
 Indignation had for the moment the upper hand of 
 triumph. 
 
 ' 'You might as well both of you inform me that I 
 told lies! " she burst forthwith. "Just as well! And 
 I have the greatest mind in the world not to tell you 
 what I intended " 
 
 She paused, and angry tears welled up in her eyes. 
 Only for the moment, however. Edna was really 
 good-tempered, though quick besides, she held the 
 winning card, and this knowledge, as is usually the 
 case, exercised a decidedly soothing influence. So, 
 after a minute, during which time both sisters had an 
 uncomfortable feeling that they had been too severe, 
 Edna blinked back the tears, took a drink of water, 
 then said: 
 
 "Well, girls, I do think you are both very hard on 
 me, without any reason, either. I had a great mind 
 not to tell you anything about it but I will and 
 then see who's right you or I! " 
 
 So the whole story came out. As it proceeded, it 
 was impossible not to perceive the motives actuating 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 205 
 
 Mrs. Savin, convicted as she was out of her own 
 mouth. Eudora's surprise, and Gladys' indignation 
 and disgust, were all that Kdna could desire, and her 
 triumph was complete. 
 
 "It is too bad we misjudged you so, Ducksie," said 
 Gladys*. ' ' But you must own that appearances were 
 against you, and even your meek Eudora blamed 
 you." 
 
 "Yes, I did indeed, little sister. But it has taught 
 me a lesson which I hope never to forget." 
 
 "What lesson, if you please, ma'am?" asked Edna, 
 with mock humility. 
 
 " 'Judge not,' " replied Eudora. "That is one of 
 our dear Teacher's lessons. I don't yet know it by 
 heart, but I will, sooner or later; and what has now 
 happened will be a big stepping-stone in that upward 
 direction. So be comforted, little sister; and look at 
 the bright side of this disagreeable affair." 
 
 "Well," said Edna, slowly, "it's all right, of course, 
 Eudora, and I'm glad if I have been a help to you. 
 All the same," and there was a roguish twinkle in 
 her eye "it was pretty hard on the stepping-stone!" 
 
 About ten that morning, Laura Savin alighted from 
 an elegant carriage, and ran smiling into the store. 
 
 "Just think," she said, after greetings had been 
 exchanged, "I can stay two hours, if I won't be in 
 your way, and we can keep store together. Won't it 
 be fun?" 
 
 "Yes, indeed, Laura. And, of course, you won't 
 be in the way." 
 
 ' "Then I must send back the carriage, and tell the 
 man to call for me at noon." 
 
206 A BUSINESS VENTURE J OR, 
 
 A charming two hours the friends had together. A 
 number of strangers dropped in, and the sight of those 
 bright, merry girls, who looked as though they were 
 playing at store-keeping, loosened more than one 
 purse-string, inducing purchases where none had been 
 intended. 
 
 "Isn't it fun keeping store!" exclaimed L,aura, more 
 than once. "What a lot of money you must have, 
 Edna! Why, you have gained more than ten dollars 
 since I have been here." 
 
 "Yes, but it is not all clear gain," replied Edna. 
 
 And she thereupon explained to her friend some- 
 thing of the interior workings of business, making her 
 understand that what the article had cost them must 
 be deducted from the price paid them for it. 
 
 "O, that's too bad, said L,aura, who had really 
 never given the matter a thought. "Why don't you 
 charge more, then?" 
 
 "I am afraid, in that case, our customers would all 
 leave us, and go where they could get cheaper goods." 
 
 "O, well, but I think it's fun anyway. At least I 
 should, if I could be always with you. I forgot to tell 
 you that mamma was coming with me this morning, 
 to see if she could not persuade you to change your 
 mind, and at least one of you to go out driving with 
 us; but company came in, and I had to leave without 
 her. She said she would be here to-morrow morning, 
 though. So I shall see you again, at any rate, you 
 darling girl." 
 
 "I am so glad, Laura. It almost seems as if we were 
 home in New York again, to have you here." 
 
 "I'd be perfectly satisfied to stay here and keep 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 207 
 
 store with you all winter, and I only wish I could. 
 But, Edna, arn't you going to the athletic games and 
 races in the park this afternoon?" 
 
 ''No, we are not going, I^aura. Mr. Warringsford 
 said he did not think we would care much for that 
 exhibition. But we are going to-night, of course." 
 
 "O, of course, that will be the finest sight of all, 
 they say. But what has Mr. Warringsford to do with 
 your proceedings?" asked L,aura, remembering her 
 mother's injunction to find out whatever she could as 
 to her friend's connection with the Warringsfords. 
 "Are you going with him?" 
 
 "The Warringsfords live next door," replied Edna, 
 not displeased to be able to add, ' 'and are our most inti- 
 mate friends here. ' ' 
 
 "O!" said L,aura, who really cared little for such 
 things herself, though mentally making a note for her 
 mother's benefit. "Do you go everywhere with 
 them?" 
 
 "They are very kind in taking us out with them 
 wherever they think we would like to go," replied 
 Edna, who, to do her justice, cared as little as her 
 friend, under ordinary circumstances. 
 
 And so their conversation went on, interrupted oc- 
 casionally by customers, until the two hours were 
 ended, and the friends parted, with the understanding 
 that they would meet on the morrow. 
 
 In the evening, all met as before at Mrs. Warrings- 
 ford' s. Mr. Ernest had consented that Gabrielle and 
 even little lyOgan might go upon this occasion, it being 
 a sight peculiarly delightful to children, and one which 
 they would never forget, should circumstances prevent 
 
208 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 their ever seeing it again. Mrs. Warringsford ex- 
 cused herself, pleading fatigue, but saying that Mrs. 
 Parlot would be her representative at the meeting- 
 place. 
 
 Naturally, Mr. Krnest took lyOgan in charge. The 
 child begged that Kdna would take his other hand, 
 and the request being seconded by his father, Bdna, 
 nothing loth, complied. Gabrielle constituted herself 
 Kudora's companion, and there was nothing to do but 
 for Gladys to follow with Mr. Crescent an arrange- 
 ment which, unlike many such arrangements, suited 
 all parties exactly. Kdna, however, had a kind of 
 feeling that she was usurping Kudora's place, and that 
 Mr. Krnest was not quite pleased in consequence an 
 idea suggested by that gentleman's expression of 
 countenance, which appeared to her even sterner than 
 usual. But she was slightly mistaken as to its cause. 
 
 The pageant, "The L,ands of the Sun," was grand 
 indeed. The brilliantly illuminated chariots, temples, 
 pagodas, gondolas, the white elephant, the Car of 
 Juggernaut, the Queen, of Sheba appearing before 
 Solomon, the carrying off of Helen, Belshazzar's feast, 
 the Sphinx, the Fire Worshipers, and other designs, 
 were produced in such magnificance and with so much 
 attention to detail, as not only to be beautiful to the 
 eye, but valuable as object-lessons to young and old. 
 
 "To-morrow will be the children's parade," said 
 Mr. Crescent on their way home. ' 'A procession of 
 all the children belonging to the public schools pass in 
 review before the Queen. There are some special exer- 
 cises, and I believe each school is presented with a flag 
 by the president of L-a Fiesta. I hardly think you 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 209 
 
 will particularly care for this spectacle, but if you have 
 the slightest desire to witness it, pray command me 
 I am entirely at your service. ' ' 
 
 Gladys assured him she had no such desire, and Mr. 
 Crescent continued, "then this ends our programme 
 until Saturday, as you will probably not care to see 
 the display of fireworks at one of the parks, and I am 
 very sure you will not wish to attend the Queen's ball 
 at a later hour. ' ' 
 
 "Hardly," said Gladys. "But, Mr. Crescent, we 
 have much enjoyed what we have seen, and are very 
 grateful for all the trouble you have taken to give us 
 pleasure. ' ' 
 
 And Edna joined in the thanks, though she felt 
 as if she might have been consulted as to her wishes 
 in the matter. The next morning at breakfast she 
 said: 
 
 "I just think it is too bad Mr. Ernest did not invite 
 me to go with him and the children to see the parade 
 this afternoon. But he didn't, so there! Of course, 
 though, you'll say it is all for the best, Eudora." 
 
 "Of course I shall," replied her sister, smilingly. 
 "I have not the slightest doubt of it, Edna; but I am 
 sorry for your disappointment." 
 
 "There is one thing," said Edna, "I shall see Laura 
 this morning. But I am afraid her mother will be 
 with her. That will spoil all. And I really don't 
 know what to say to her if she insists on our going 
 driving with her, or lunching, or this, that and the 
 other! Things are awfully contrary in this world 
 sometimes, whatever you may say, Eudora." 
 
 "Don't worry over them until they actually come, 
 
210 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OK, 
 
 at any rate," said her sister. "It is a bad plan to 
 cross your bridge before you come to it. We magnify 
 our troubles ten- fold by going over and over them in 
 imagination, either before or after they occur. I 
 speak from experience, for I well remember what I 
 used to suffer in that way. And now, how much hap- 
 pier I am since I have committed all my interests, 
 past, present and future, into the hands of our dear 
 Heavenly Father, who understands all about it, and 
 will manage everything in the very best way for His 
 obedient, trusting children." 
 
 It was more for Gladys than for Kdna that Hudora 
 thus spoke. The trouble, which of late had appeared 
 to be subsiding, seemed now again to be getting the 
 upper hand, and the past night had been one of the 
 worst yet spent. She now arose abruptly and left the 
 room. 
 
 "Is Gladys worse?" asked Edna, in alarm, as she 
 noticed for the first time her sister's appearance when 
 leaving. The real dread chased instantly all imaginary 
 troubles away. 
 
 "She was restless again last night, and seems more 
 unhappy than has been the case of late. But we must 
 still keep praying and trusting, dear, and sooner or 
 later all will be right again." 
 
 "O, dear!" sighed Kdna. "This is worse than any- 
 thing. I remember once when I was grumbling about 
 something, Mademoiselle told me that if I fretted 
 about nothing, I should soon have something real to 
 fret about. And I just believe it's true! But there 
 goes the store door. It is pretty early for customers, 
 though the more the better." 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 211 
 
 So saying, she hastened away, and before long 
 found herself in the midst of a stream of business. 
 This was the very busiest morning she had yet had, 
 and her sales were many and remunerative. At odd 
 times within the past two days, the girls had all 
 helped in adding to their stock of mosses, shells and 
 pressed flowers, and Edna's pile of money grew apace. 
 But no Laura made her appearance. Late in the 
 afternoon, the postman brought a note from her, stat- 
 ing that her mother having received a telegram an- 
 nouncing the serious illness of her father, they were 
 obliged to leave at once, and were to start within the 
 hour for home. The note was hasty, but loving, and 
 Edna felt both disappointed and relieved. 
 
 "Eudora was right," she thought. "It was no use 
 to worry. Perhaps I'll remember the lesson another 
 time." 
 
 In the afternoon she was again busy with customers, 
 for there were many who did not care specially to wit- 
 ness the athletic sports; so that, before the day ended, 
 she had ample cause for being glad that she had kept 
 the store open. 
 
 Next morning at breakfast, Edna said: 
 
 "Eudora, Mrs. Warringsford asked me to tell you, 
 with her love I want to get it exactly right that she 
 requests the pleasure of your company this afternoon 
 at the grand flower parade, and that she will be much 
 disappointed no, greatly disappointed, if you should 
 refuse her invitation. There! I think I have given 
 the message correctly. ' ' 
 
 "Mrs. Warringsford is very kind," replied Eudora, 
 "and I shall be happy to accept her invitation," 
 
212 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 "Well, I am glad, but rather surprised," said Edna, 
 who was in one of her pert moods, "for you have 
 been so queer of late that I had no idea whether you 
 would accept or not. Perhaps you and Gladys are 
 both coming to your senses at last. The sooner the 
 better." 
 
 As usual, Edna was sorry the moment she had ut- 
 tered her heedless speech. Gladys changed color, and 
 almost immediately left the room. Eudora gave her sis- 
 ter a reproachful look, though not on her own account, 
 and Edna, smitten with remorse for Gladys' sake, re- 
 solved, as had been the case so many, many times be- 
 fore, that she would be more careful in future. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 213 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 About half past one o'clock, all met as before at 
 Mrs. Warringsford's. Mr. Krnest this time took 
 charge of both children, leaving Kudora to escort his 
 mother, while Gladys and Edna fell to Mr. Crescent's 
 care. Kdna privately hoped that Logan would again 
 claim her, but he did not; she had therefore the un- 
 comfortable feeling of being one of the three which 
 makes no company, herself the "no company" one. 
 However, all was forgotten when they were fairly 
 seated with I4oyd in devoted attendance and the 
 grand parade began to pass before their delighted eyes. 
 This was worth all the other sights put together so 
 the adults of the party declared the children's pref- 
 erence was for the more gaudy pageant, the "I^ands 
 of the Sun. ' ' 
 
 Words are inadequate to describe the spectacle. 
 Nowhere else could such a scene be witnessed. The 
 extraordinary profusion of flowers of every variety 
 chariots, trains, horses, coaches, buggies, bicycles, ve- 
 hicles of every form and description, so smothered in 
 roses, lilies, tulips, pansies, daisies, smilax, in fact, 
 flowers and vines of every kind, that nothing could 
 be seen of their frame- work, even the wheels, in many 
 cases being concealed by myrtle. Squads of children, 
 almost hidden in a mass of colors, horsemen dressed 
 in green, purple and red blossoms, while some of the 
 vehicles were devoted solely to one color or flower, the 
 conceit extending even to the driver' s necktie and whip, 
 
214 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 and to the parasol of his female companion. And the 
 surprising part of the scene was, that, covering miles 
 as the procession did, there was scarcely a single du- 
 plicate in the whole parade. 
 
 ''Here ends our entertainment," said Mr. Crescent, 
 after escorting the girls home, and entering for a little 
 social chat. ' 'There is a concert to-night at the Pavil- 
 lion previous to the masquerade, but Mr. Ernest and 
 I concluded that you would hardly care to attend, as it 
 probably much resembles the former one. But now, 
 Miss Kdna, we have been somewhat neglecting busi- 
 ness at least I have during these days' of pleasure. 
 May I ask what success you have had since we last 
 posted up the books together, a week ago to-day, I be- 
 lieve." 
 
 "Indeed you may," said Edna, who had been eagerly 
 waiting for him to ask the question. "Have you time 
 to look over the accounts now?" 
 
 He took out his watch. 
 
 "O, yes; there is a good hour before my dinner- 
 time. So bring them on, Miss Edna, and we shall see 
 whether you are keeping up your character as an ex- 
 pert accountant." 
 
 Edna laughed gleefully as she laid the book open 
 before him. 
 
 "Don't tell the girls yet how much I have made 
 this week," she said. "I want them to guess. Now, 
 girls, how much have I made within the past few days 
 from the sale of fancy articles alone I mean those we 
 have made ourselves, including Glad}^s' paintings, so 
 that the money is almost clear gain ? Now guess." 
 
 "'Ten dollars," hazarded Gladys. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 215 
 
 "Fifteen," suggested Eudora. 
 
 "Guess again, both of you." 
 
 "Twenty," ventured Gladys. 
 
 "Twenty-five," said Eudora. 
 
 And Edna, anxious not to weaken the final effect by 
 any further gradual leading up to it, announced slowly 
 and impressively, "It is forty-two dollars." 
 
 The astonishment of all came up fully to her ex- 
 pectations, and great w r ere the congratulations over 
 her business tact and ability. 
 
 "Yes, it's pretty good," she said, quite complacent 
 over the praises so freely administered. "I really 
 think I have done remarkably well. I suppose I have 
 a taking way with the public." 
 
 "Take care," warned Gladys, smilingly. "Pride 
 sometimes has a fall, you know." 
 
 "Bother falls," laughed Edna, whose high spirits, 
 once in the ascendant, sometimes carried her rather 
 too far. "Here's the hard cash, any way, and that 
 can't have a fall, however it may be with me. But I 
 don't propose to fall either. And the rest of the sales 
 amount to a good deal, too, but they are not yet all 
 counted. Hurrah for stores in general, and this little 
 book-store in particular!" 
 
 "Well, Miss Edna," said Mr. Crescent, as he finally 
 arose to depart, "I heartily congratulate you upon 
 your success. Long may it last ! Though you must 
 remember that in the nature of the case, you cannot 
 expect such windfalls very often." 
 
 On Monday morning, as Gladys and Eudora sat at 
 breakfast, Edna, who had gone into the store for some 
 
2l6 A BUSINESS VKNTURE; OR, 
 
 purpose, came running back with pale cheeks and 
 frightened eyes. 
 
 "It's gone, girls! it's gone!" she fairly gasped out; 
 then threw herself into a chair unable for the moment 
 to stand. 
 
 "What has gone?" both exclaimed together. 
 
 "The money! All the money! Every cent!" 
 
 "O, you have only mislaid it," said Gladys. "Let 
 us go and see about it, Kudora." 
 
 "Yes, come," said Edna, recovering herself in a 
 measure and leading the way; "then see whether I 
 have mislaid it or not." 
 
 A startling sight met their eyes as they entered. 
 The entire lower sash of the window had been re- 
 moved, without breaking, and stood on the floor in- 
 side. The money-drawer was wide open and the con- 
 tents gone. Not another thing had apparently been 
 touched. 
 
 The girls looked at each other in dismay. 
 
 "Didn't I tell you!" said Edna; and there was 
 something of triumph in her tone, instantly, however, 
 changing to a woeful, "O dear! Isn't it dreadful! 
 Just as we were going to be so well off, and I was go- 
 ing to take lessons in Why Gladys! this is just what 
 you prophesied! I hope your are satisfied now!" 
 
 "I prophesied?" said Gladys, bewildered. "What 
 do you mean, Edna?" 
 
 "Don't you remember what you said about pride 
 having a fall. And sure enough, here is a fall with a 
 vengeance!" 
 
 "O," said Gladys, light dawning. "Why, child, 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 2 17 
 
 that was a joke. Of course I never dreamed of any- 
 thing like this. ' ' 
 
 "It seems to me," said Eudora, "that instead of 
 standing here discussing the matter, we had better be 
 doing something to try and recover the money. ' ' 
 
 "That is exactly what I was thinking," said 
 Gladys. 
 
 "You have the wisest head among us, Eudora. 
 What do you think we had best do?" 
 
 Eudora was silent a moment, while her sisters 
 looked carefully in and around the money drawer, to 
 see if the thief might not have left some trace behind 
 him. 
 
 Then Eudora spoke. "The only thing I can think 
 of at present, is to send at once a note to Mr. Crescent, 
 asking him to call at his earliest convenience perhaps 
 we might add on important business. ' ' 
 
 "Yes," said Edna. "Of course that's the very 
 thing. Being a lawyer, he will know what to do. 
 Will you write, Gladys?" 
 
 ' 'I must go to my school-room at once, so you had 
 better do it yourself, Edna. You have the most time, 
 and are besides the most deeply interested party 
 though, as far as that is concerned, we are all pretty 
 much in the same box!" 
 
 About ten o'clock, in walked Mr. Crescent. He 
 was in a somewhat excited state of mind, as he feared 
 he knew not what. Edna had left everything as 
 she had found it, wishing that he should see the exact 
 state of affairs. 
 
 He looked grave and troubled when the story was 
 told, though to a certain extent he felt relieved. 
 
218 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 "I ought to have done the proper thing or what I 
 considered the proper thing when you first came here 
 to live," he said. "I was several times on the point 
 of ordering shutters to be put up, not only here, but 
 also on the other windows; but as you all made "ob- 
 jections, I felt I had not the right to insist. There 
 was my mistake. I had the right, as being your 
 father's friend, your business advisor, your guardian 
 indeed. Another day shall not pass without its being 
 done though it may seem to you like locking the 
 stable-door when the horse is gone. Where is Miss 
 Gladys?" 
 
 "In her school-room with her class. She is always 
 teaching at this hour, you know." 
 
 "Yes, of course, I forgot this was Monday. Now, 
 Miss Edna, if you will kindly go and take her place 
 for a short time, while she comes here, I shall be 
 obliged to you. I want to have a little conversation 
 with her." 
 
 When Gladys came in, Mr. Crescent was carefully 
 fitting the window sash into its place, concealing as 
 well as possible the fact of there being anything amiss. 
 
 "One moment, Miss Gladys. There, that is all 
 right, I think; at least, it will do for the present. By 
 and bye I shall send up a carpenter. ' ' 
 
 He came over, and took her hand in both of his. 
 
 "Miss Gladys, this is all my fault." 
 
 "Your fault, Mr. Crescent!" Gladys said in aston- 
 ishment. "What do you mean ?" 
 
 "In the first place, I ought to have insisted upon 
 having the shutters put on, as you will remember I 
 proposed doing. Then, on Saturday night, I should 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 2 19 
 
 have taken the money home with me, preparatory to 
 depositing it in the bank this morning. I can not 
 imagine how it happened to escape my mind." 
 
 "Indeed, Mr. Crescent, you shall not blame your- 
 self in the very least. You must remember that we 
 absolutely refused to have the shutters put up, like 
 the obstinate girls that we were. Besides which, 
 Kdna had no business to leave the money in the 
 drawer ; she has often been told not to do so, but her 
 success of late has completely turned her head. So 
 you see, there was no fault of yours about it." 
 
 "Most kind of you to say so, my dear Miss Gladys. 
 But the fact is, you all need a protector a guard- 
 ian" he was speaking hurriedly now "one, I mean, 
 who would always be at hand. ' ' 
 
 But Gladys, in sudden unaccountable fright, broke 
 in with, "Yes, I do realty think we would be the 
 better of having ' a great big dog ! We could shut 
 him up in the store, you know, and he would give us 
 warning of attempted attacks. Don't you think so, 
 Mr. Crescent?" 
 
 Instead of answering at once,. that gentleman took 
 out his handkerchief, and wiped the perspiration from 
 his brow. When he spoke at last, his voice was com- 
 pletely altered. 
 
 "It might be a good idea, Miss Gladys. But we 
 are wasting time, as I have no doubt you are anxious 
 to return to your scholars. What I wished specially 
 to say to you was this. In my judgment it will be 
 best to say nothing of this robbery to anyone. It 
 would be exceedingly unpleasant to have your name 
 in the papers, with all manner of surmises and rumors 
 
220 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 floating about. Besides it would call attention to the 
 fact of money being kept so insecurely, and might in- 
 cite others to a like attempt." 
 
 "O by all means, Mr. Crescent," said Gladys, 
 eagerly, "do keep it out of the papers ! It would be 
 far better to lose the money than to be dragged into 
 public notice in that dreadful way. It would be 
 simply terrible." 
 
 "Of course I knew you would feel so, Miss Gladys. 
 But I trust we may not have to lose the money 
 either. I happen to have an acquaintance among the 
 detectives of this place, who once did me good service, 
 though not in a similar case. I will get him to man- 
 age the matter so that it shall be kept entirely private. 
 Have no fears, Miss Gladys." 
 
 "Thank you, Mr. Crescent," said Gladys, grate- 
 fully. And with a remorseful feeling for the wound 
 which she knew in her heart she had dealt him, she 
 added, "We are quite sure that our interests are al- 
 ways safe in your hands. We are very fortunate girls 
 to have such a good, kind friend." 
 
 Then hastily saying good-bye she made her exit, 
 leaving Mr. Crescent to await Edna's return with a 
 much lighter heart than had been the case a moment 
 before. Later in the day he returned, accompanied 
 by a carpenter, who speedily put to right the damaged 
 window, and also took measurements for shutters for 
 that and the other windows, all of which were only on 
 one side of the house that looking into the street. 
 
 It was a very different Edna from the usual merry, 
 saucy, laughing girl who sat down to dinner that 
 evening. Sad, silent, downcast, with a suspicion of 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 221 
 
 tears in her eyes ; could contrast be greater ? And 
 not all Hudora's and even Gladys' efforts at liveliness 
 could change her attitude. 
 
 "Edna, dear," said Kudora, when they two were 
 washing the dishes, Gladys having left the room, "I 
 wouldn't take this matter so much to heart, if I were 
 you. We may recover the money, but if not, we can 
 do without it. A good part of it is over and above 
 what we had calculated on, and we are now doing so 
 well that we can afford to lose it. So be comforted, 
 dear." 
 
 "It is not the money alone," said Edna, dashing 
 away a tear. "It is because I have been such an 
 idiot first in boasting so much of my capabilities and 
 general brilliancy, and then for my obstinacy in refus- 
 ing to take Gladys' advice as to putting away tjie money 
 in a safe place until Monday. I insisted on leaving it 
 in the store, and was even saucy about it it was 
 awfully good of her not to remind me of my badness. 
 Yes, the whole thing has been my fault. I deserve 
 every bit of the punishment; but it is too bad Gladys 
 and you have to suffer for my folly." 
 
 * 'As far as I am concerned, dear, the money loss 
 has but little effect. And Gladys is even more in- 
 different. I wish she were less so! And as to your- 
 self, little sister, the thing is over and done. Take 
 the lesson from it of being less confident and boastful 
 and obstinate I am only using your own words, 
 dear and then let the past be past. Cast it entirely 
 from you, as you did the Mrs. Savin affair. Remem- 
 ber that successes are built upon failures, and that 
 
222 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 they only learn the secret of success, who have learned 
 the lesson of failure." 
 
 "Yes," said Edna, still gloomily, "Of- course it is all 
 true. But you see the fact is, Hudora, I didn't do 
 one bit of good to-day. I had not the heart to put any 
 vim into it; I know I lost several sales in consequence. 
 People coming in, as they often do, just from curiosity 
 though they nearly always end by buying something 
 or other seeing a grumpy, cross, indifferent person, 
 went off without buying anything; so just when we 
 are in need of making money, I let the chances slip." 
 
 "Well, dear, make up your mind that it won't be so 
 to-morrow. Start on a new day as though the un- 
 pleasant past had never been; and we will both use our 
 talisman to get the money back." 
 
 "O, I never thought of that!" said Edna, looking 
 more hopeful for she had great faith in the efficacy 
 of Eudora's prayers. "Perhaps we shall get it back 
 after all! But who do you think was in the store 
 yesterday, Eudora ? Why, but Tony's father, on his 
 his way home to dinner, looking ever so respectable 
 and nice! He came in actually to buy a newspaper! 
 I think it was an excuse to let ns see how well he was 
 doing; but I am sure he was disappointed that neither 
 you nor Gladys was here." 
 
 "I hope you were not grumpy to him?" asked Eu- 
 dora, anxiously. 
 
 "O, but I am afraid I was," said Edna, ruefully. 
 "For he seemed disappointed, and did not appear 
 nearly so bright when he left as when he came in. I 
 was sorry the moment he shut the door behind him." 
 
 Eudora looked vexed. "O, Edna! And we did 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 
 
 22 3 
 
 so want to encourage him, until he should be thor- 
 oughly established in steady-going ways. It is not 
 yet- dark. I shall run over there a moment, and 
 take them that soup that was left from dinner. A 
 little talk with him will help set matters right again, 
 I hope." 
 
224 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 The committee who had been put in charge of Tony's 
 family had not been idle. Theirs was not merely a 
 nominal office, as is too often the case with those ap- 
 pointed to be lay-helpers in the church. The young 
 men made honest efforts to assist the man back into 
 paths of sobriety, and to find him remunerative em- 
 ployment. 
 
 The 3^oung women made similar efforts with the 
 wife, and also attended to the necessities of the family 
 until the parents should be in a better position to take 
 the burden upon themselves. 
 
 Success did not at first reward their efforts, and per- 
 haps with the easy discouragement of youth, the at- 
 tempt might have been abandoned when the second 
 relapse caused the man to lose his place, had not their 
 pastor come to the rescue with words of encourage- 
 ment and cheer; and their efforts began afresh. Finally 
 a measure of success rewarded them; the man had 
 kept his present position for a month, and great were 
 the hopes concerning him. 
 
 Mrs. Starr, Tony's mother, was not so hard to in- 
 fluence. The shock of her child's death had tempo- 
 rarily checked her habits, and kindly, continued inter- 
 est in her welfare, stimulated her to fresh hopes for 
 herself and her children, and helped her to persevere 
 in the new life upon which she had entered. With 
 her also there were occasional discouraging relapses; 
 but they were becoming fewer and less prolonged, and 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 225 
 
 the children were beginning to learn, for the nrst time 
 what it was to have a mother. 
 
 Just as Eudora entered with the soup, she heard 
 Tony say, in a sobbing and 3^et determined voice: 
 
 "No, pop, I won't do it; I won't do it, pop." 
 
 Then, as he caught sight of Eudora, he ran joy- 
 fully to her, exclaiming, 
 
 "O, here's my teacher!" 
 
 His father, who had apparently been holding out a 
 bottle to the boy, now hastily slipped it under the 
 table. He had a shame-faced, down-cast expression, 
 very different from the bright, straightforward look 
 he had of late been wearing. Mrs. Starr had evi- 
 dently been crying; she hastily wiped her eyes, and 
 offered a seat to Eudora. 
 
 "Thank you; I can't stay long," said Eudora, "for 
 it is getting dark. But we have just had dinner, and 
 this soup was so nice I thought you might all enjoy 
 some of it. Mr. Starr, that building you are working 
 on ' ' he was a stone-mason ' ' is getting on nicely. I 
 have not seen it for a few days, but I shall pass that 
 way to-morrow morning" having suddenly made up 
 her mind to that effect ' 'and will take particular notice 
 of the part you are engaged upon. One is always 
 more interested in any thing when a person one is 
 acquainted with has something to say to it." 
 
 The man brightened up. He began to speak about 
 his work with animation; and Eudora knew certainly, 
 as she bade them goodbye, that a critical point had been 
 passed, and the danger was over for the present. 
 
 The following morning, Eudora went three blocks 
 out of her way in order to keep her promise. Mr. 
 
226 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 Starr was evidently on the watch for her, and came 
 forward smiling with pleasure. He pointed out proudly 
 the part on which he was at work, and, after a few 
 pleasant words from Eudora, returned to his post with 
 the comfortable feeling that some one was taking an 
 interest in his success, and a determination that that 
 kindly interest should never be misplaced. 
 
 But Eudora did more. She made it her business to 
 see one of the young men of the committee with 
 whom she was slightly acquainted, and rousing anew 
 his interest in Mr. Starr's welfare, had him promise 
 that he would stop from time to time at the building 
 at which the man was at work and give him a word of 
 kindly encouragement, so that he might feel that he 
 had friends who would be glad of his success and 
 grieved at his failure. 
 
 Day after day passed, and no tidings of the lost 
 money. Edna's high spirits were gone, for the mo- 
 ment at least, as she daily and nightly reckoned in her 
 mind the many things the sixty-seven dollars would 
 have done for them. 
 
 "All Gladys' beautiful paintings gone for nothing," 
 she would think over and over again. ' 'All those pretty 
 things I spent so much time and pains over gone 
 lots of magazines, newspapers, pads, pencils, books 
 gone for nothing. All my own fault, too. And just 
 to think what that money would have done! No use 
 now for me to try to take lessons in anything. I'll 
 only be a little storekeeper for the rest of my life! 
 And I deserve it, too!" 
 
 When people give imagination the rein, it usually 
 carries them to an unintended distance. Edna at first 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 227 
 
 took a certain kind of pleasure in these exaggerations; 
 then they became more and more real as she encour- 
 aged them, until, finally, the wonders the lost money 
 would have procured had increased to such propor- 
 tions that ten times the amount would hardly have suf- 
 ficed. 
 
 The following Friday, when Eudora went to her 
 sewing at Mrs. Warringsford's, it seemed to her that 
 her friend treated her with unusual coolness. She 
 was, of course being a lady as polite as ever, but 
 there was a nameless something in her manner which 
 a sensitive nature, such as Eudora's, was quick to de- 
 tect. When Gabrielle returned from school, she ran 
 in to Eudora full of a great piece of news. 
 
 "O, Miss Eudora, do you know that papa is going 
 to Europe this very week! and maybe he'll be gone 
 for three months, and maybe longer! and isn't it too 
 bad! just as spring has come, and he could take us 
 lots of excursions in my vacation! I have been so 
 looking forward to it. It's just too bad! I really 
 think it is!" 
 
 Mrs. Warringsford, who at that moment was pass- 
 ing through the room, stopped and said, in an un- 
 usually stiff manner: "Gabrielle, don't let me hear 
 yon talking such nonsense. Your father has been 
 speaking of going to Europe for a year or two past. 
 If you act in this way, you will make him uncomfort- 
 able and unhappy in going." 
 
 "O, I won't to him, Grandma!" said the little girl, 
 surprised at Mrs. Warringsford's unusual tone. "Of 
 course I won't! But I do wish he would take me 
 with him!" 
 
228 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 "That would be utterly impossible, Gabrielle; so let 
 me hear no more of such foolishness. ' ' 
 
 The poor child looked distressed as her grandmother 
 left the room. 
 
 "Grandma never speaks to me like that," she said, 
 with tears in her eyes. "I expect she' s worried be- 
 cause papa is going away, for I think she was crying 
 this morning. But I wish she wouldn't be vexed with 
 me!" 
 
 Kudora did her best to comfort the child, but she 
 felt sad herself, and her efforts were not entirely suc- 
 cessful. A cloud hung over her all through the day, 
 and it was with a somewhat heavy heart that she lay 
 down to rest that night. For what innumerable kind- 
 nesses was she and were all of them indebted to Mrs. 
 Warringsf ord ! What an invaluable help had been 
 her affection and sympathy! Were they now to lose 
 it all? And was she destined to bring sorrow into 
 the home that had sheltered and blessed them? It 
 was natural that she should feel it keenly, and for a 
 time the tears coursed freely down her cheeks. But 
 her Friend, her Comforter, was close at hand, and 
 only waiting for the listening ear, to pour therein His 
 heavenly consolation. And now she hearkened, and 
 the comfort came. 
 
 ' 'I have been looking at consequences, ' ' she thought, 
 "forgetting, as many times before, that I have nothing 
 to do with them. I have followed the guidance of my 
 I^eader, I truly believe, as far as I recognized it to be 
 such, and now I will leave the rest in His safe hands. ' ' 
 
 And resolutely wiping away the tears, with her 
 nightly song upon her lips, she fell asleep. 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 229 
 
 A few weeks passed, and Edna, aided by Eudora's 
 wise counsels, was becoming reconciled to her loss, 
 although there were times when her inward lamenta- 
 tions were almost as great as ever. 
 
 Mr. Ernest Warringsford had started on his Euro- 
 pean journey, leaving a sad household behind. For 
 some time after his departure, Eudora had to endure 
 that subtle change of atmosphere which caused her to 
 feel, in some indescribable way, that she was an in- 
 dividual, apart from the others, and no longer an 
 actual member of the family. She felt it even with 
 Gabrielle for children are quick to catch the status of 
 their elders, though with often no idea as to causes, or 
 being indeed conscious of change in themselves or 
 others. Eudora kept calmly on her way, apparently 
 oblivious to any difference in her position or surround- 
 ings calm, sweet and helpful as ever. Gradually, 
 almost imperceptibly, the chillness passed away, and 
 one day, Eudora, with a thankful heart, awoke to the 
 realization that she was again in the warm atmosphere 
 of family love, and no longer outside in the cold. 
 
 One afternoon, Gladys was feeling unusually sad. 
 The haunting grief had come closer than ever, and 
 clad in more vivid colors. It was towards evening, 
 and she had taken Edna's place, while the latter went 
 on an errand Eudora had not yet returned. It was 
 past their usual- hour for customers, although a stray 
 one might happen in at any hour before closing. 
 
 Gladys sat behind the counter, book in hand, but 
 not reading. Her thoughts were far away, a look of 
 distress was upon her countenance a look almost of 
 despair. Imagination had broken loose from its 
 
230 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 bounds, and was taking revenge for long continued re- 
 straint. Would ever this haunting memory die ? Die, 
 never to know a resurrection! A resurrection at a 
 moment when its ghostly apparition would be farthest 
 from her thoughts, and well-nigh drive her wild with 
 terror? There are tidal waves of grief waves which 
 sweep away all before them, and efforts are vain to 
 stem the torrent. Such a time was this, and Gladys 
 never recalled the half hour she now passed, without 
 a thrill of horror. 
 
 She did not hear the store door open, nor did she 
 move until a voice aroused her to present recollection. 
 She started to her feet with a wild idea of escaping 
 into the adjoining room, but it was too late Mr. 
 Crescent stood before her. 
 
 "My dear Miss Gladys," he exclaimed in a tone of 
 the deepest concern, "you are ill ! I am sure you 
 must be very ill ! Do let me get you something to 
 take, or summon a doctor !" 
 
 The shocked look in his face had a strong effect in 
 restoring her composure, at least to. the extent of 
 enabling her to make a mighty effort in that di- 
 rection. 
 
 "I am not ill, Mr. Crescent. Only some distressing 
 circumstances came into my mind more vividly than 
 usual, and" she paused, hardly knowing what to 
 say. 
 
 But Mr. Crescent was not satisfied. Never had he 
 seen such a look on Gladys' countenance ; years 
 seemed to have passed over it it was haggard and 
 drawn. But she showed such evident reluctance to 
 further questioning that he thought it best to let the 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 231 
 
 matter drop, and taking a seat, began to enter into 
 conversation with a view of diverting her mind. At 
 first she seemed feverishly eager to second his efforts, 
 but gradually she became more and more abstracted, 
 and finally he felt that his attempt at diversion was a 
 decided failure. So he took another tack. 
 
 "Miss Gladys," he said suddenly, after a moment's 
 silence, "would you not like to do an act of charity? " 
 
 Gladys looked surprised. 
 
 "Is any friend of yours in trouble, Mr. Crescent? " 
 
 Her heart made answer, ' 'myself, ' ' but now she had 
 gathered strength sufficient resolutely to turn her 
 thoughts from her own case and prepare to throw 
 her sympathies into another channel. 
 
 "I can hardly say 'friend,' and yet I am slightly 
 acquainted with the family. They are almost neigh- 
 bors of yours, living only about one block away. They 
 have lately come to this city, so there would be no 
 impropriety in your calling on them if you felt so 
 disposed." 
 
 "But I do not feel so disposed, Mr. Crescent by 
 no manner of means. And people are not in the habit 
 of doing such things in cities, unless for some special 
 reason. ' ' 
 
 "O well," said Mr. Crescent, in a crestfallen man- 
 ner, " I suppose we men don't know much about such 
 things. And I am a blundering old fellow anyway, so 
 pay no attention whatever to my requests, Miss 
 Gladys." 
 
 "O, Mr. Crescent," exclaimed Gladys, smitten again 
 with sudden remorse, "of course, if you really wish 
 it I would do anything to oblige you. ' ' 
 
232 A BUSINESS VENTURE ; OR, 
 
 And artful Mr. Crescent was well satisfied with the 
 effect of his speech. 
 
 "It is only this, Miss Gladys. They are in deep 
 sorrow, almost strangers in this city, coming here 
 about the - time of your arrival, I think, or shortly 
 after. There are two young girls in the family, and 
 it occurred to me but of course it is not necessary 
 that you should call. It was a mere suggestion on 
 the spur of the moment I hardly know how it came 
 into my head to mention it. However there is no 
 harm done, I trust." 
 
 "No, indeed, Mr. Crescent. It was foolish of me 
 to speak as I did. But what is the trouble, if I may 
 ask the question ? ' ' 
 
 "It is a sad story, Miss Gladys. Almost immedi- 
 ately after their arrival the father in a fit of despond- 
 ency, caused, it is said, by his wife's reproaches for 
 his losses in business, committed suicide. ' ' 
 
 He stopped short in dismay as Gladys uttered a 
 gasping sound and turned deathly pale. But she 
 said not a word, and after an instant's pause Mr. 
 Crescent, attributing her emotion to her kind-hearted- 
 ness, continued speaking. 
 
 "And, by the way, Miss Gladys, it is singular how 
 very closely their name resembles your own. Theirs 
 is Grayson simply the difference of a letter. Miss 
 Gladys! my dear Miss Gladys! What can be the 
 matter?" 
 
 For Gladys was gazing at him with an expression of 
 countenance which filled him with astonishment. Now 
 pale, now flushed, now bewildered, now joyful what 
 wonder if he were almost beside himself with amaze- 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 233 
 
 ment? Finally, a look of determination chased away 
 all other expressions. 
 
 "Mr. Crescent," she said, tremulously, in her ex- 
 citement laying her hand on his arm, "Will you, O, 
 will you be so very good as to stay in the store until 
 Edna returns, and allow me to go out for a little while ? 
 Please, please do." 
 
 "Certainly, I shall do so if it is any any conven- 
 ience to you, Miss Gladys. But possibly it might be 
 best not on my account, of course but perhaps it 
 might be better that you should wait until Miss Kdna 
 or Miss Kudora " 
 
 "O, no; I cannot wait, Mr. Crescent. I really must 
 go at once. Please stay here until my return, even if 
 they do come. I want to tell you something." 
 
 She was hastily putting on her hat, which hung on 
 a nail near her, and was gone without waiting for 
 another word. 
 
 Mr. Crescent shook his head as the door closed be- 
 hind her, and wiped his forehead with his handker- 
 chief an action peculiar to him in moments of per- 
 plexity. 
 
 "Very singular!" he said, half aloud. "Very, very 
 singular! I hope she is not taking a fever, or any- 
 thing. I am afraid I did wrong to let her go off alone 
 that way. Dear! dear! I seem to have the unhappy 
 faculty of rousing her in a miserable manner! If I 
 only had the right she certainly needs some one to 
 look after her. I wonder " 
 
 But what he wondered there is no telling, for at 
 that moment Edna returned. She was, of course, 
 much surprised on finding the change of clerks. As 
 
234 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 the gentleman could give no clear explanation as to 
 the cause of Gladys' absence, and as his manner was 
 odd and flurried, Edna began to be seriously alarmed, 
 and to fear that something had happened to this dearly 
 beloved sister. 
 
 "What did she say she went for, Mr. Crescent? 
 Was she sick, or what? Do tell me, please, and don't 
 hide anything from me. I am sure there is something 
 the matter. ' ' 
 
 "My dear Miss Edna, I know no more than you do. 
 We were sitting conversing, when she suddenly 
 jumped up, put on her hat, and begged me to keep 
 store while she went out for a time. I must own she 
 looked excited and anxious, but not ill at least, she 
 did not look like herself." 
 
 "But what were you talking about, Mr. Crescent? 
 Was it of anything that might have troubled her?" 
 
 "Nothing, I assure you, Miss Edna. I was only 
 telling her the case of an unfortunate family living 
 near here. No, our conversation could have had 
 nothing to say to it. I am also concerned, Miss Edna, 
 and earnestly hope and pray that she will soon be 
 back." 
 
 And then, with a sinking heart, Edna remembered 
 how strange at times Gladys had been of late how 
 eccentric, even, in her sudden changes of mood, her 
 restless nights, her queerness altogether. What if 
 she really had no trouble if it had been in her mind 
 alone all a figment of her diseased imagination ? 
 
 As these ideas flashed over Edna, she suddenly 
 looked at Mr. Crescent, and as their eyes met, each 
 recognized as by magic the other's thought Gladys 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 
 
 235 
 
 had lost her reason ! Edna burst into a violent fit of 
 weeping. 
 
 "O, Mr. Crescent! Do go and look for her! She 
 may do something dreadful! O, please go quickly! " 
 
 "I will, my dear Miss Kdna! I shall go at once I 
 know the direction she took, but she has been gone 
 for half an hour I fear however, we must hope for 
 the best." 
 
 And he hastened off, full of perplexity and distress. 
 
236 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Edna had retreated to the adjoining room, leaving 
 the door into the store open between, and was still 
 crying, when Kudora returned. 
 
 "Why, Edna, what is the matter? Are you sick, 
 or what is it? " 
 
 And then between her sobs, the story was told. 
 
 Fora moment Eudora looked startled, even shocked; 
 then she recovered herself and said quietly, "I cer- 
 tainly think you are mistaken, dear. Gladys has 
 known what she was about all along. I have never 
 seen anything about her that might lead one to sup- 
 pose she was not perfectly in her right mind, however 
 her imagination may have magnified the trouble which 
 no doubt in some form or other really fell upon her. 
 No, indeed. Be very sure that at any rate up to this 
 time, she has known perfectly what she was about." 
 
 And then Eudora betook herself to her never-failing 
 refuge, prayer, while Edna now joined her with all 
 her heart. 
 
 Five minutes thereafter, the store door opened. 
 
 "Here is our truant!" called a manly voice in 
 which a ring of happiness was clearly discernible, and 
 Gladys came hastily in to her sisters, with a coun- 
 tenance from which all traces of sorrow seemed to 
 have passed away forever. She closed the door, 
 leaving Mr. Crescent, at his own suggestion, to keep 
 store. Then she kissed Eudora and Edna with a 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 237 
 
 warmth and effusiveness beyond anything either of 
 them had ever witnessed in her before. 
 
 "Girls," she said, in a trembling and yet exulting 
 voice, "you will suffer no more from my gloom and 
 misery! My sorrow is all over gone, never to re- 
 turn! It was a mistake my own mistake but I will 
 tell you all about it! " 
 
 With -what absorbing interest did Kudora and Edna 
 listen to the story. 
 
 "That day you left me at home," she began, "to 
 finish the work and prepare the luncheon, I was get- 
 ting some hot water out of the -bath-room to wash 
 the dishes in, when I heard' Mrs. Smith speaking to 
 some one in the adjoining room the transom in both 
 rooms must have been open. I was waiting for the 
 water to become hot enough, when I caught our own 
 name, and then Mrs. Smith said, 'Poor man! they 
 say he was so unhappy in his own family that he 
 could bear it no longer, and he shot himself. ' ' ' 
 
 Gladys' voice trembled from the remembrance of 
 the wave of misery which then and there had over- 
 whelmed her, and beneath which her happiness, as 
 she verily believed, had sunk forever. fJfifJCTpff" T iKrs 
 
 "O, girls, it was awful! I remembered how often I 
 had been cold to father, and I felt absolutely certain 
 that my apparent want of affection had been making 
 him wretched all those years, and that at last he could 
 endure it no longer! O, dear girls, you never can con- 
 ceive the misery which day and night thereafter 
 haunted me perpetually, so that, at almost any mo- 
 ment, death would have been welcome as the only 
 chance of escape from life-long torture ! ' ' 
 
238 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 Kudora and Hdna were both crying; but though the 
 tears were in Gladys' eyes, the absolute radiance of 
 her countenance was beyond anything they had ever 
 witnessed there before. 
 
 "It was a mistake, girls! The name was Grayson 
 only tlie difference of a letter. What wonder that I 
 never thought of doubting! You remember how anx- 
 ious I was to leave that place and to come here at 
 once. It seemed as if I could not breathe there any 
 more, and that I must get away as quickly as possible, 
 somewhere, anywhere, only out of sight of the place 
 where such fearful news had come to me." 
 
 Then Gladys explained about Mr. Crescent coming 
 in that afternoon, and in the course of conversation 
 accidentally is anything ever mere accident ? men- 
 tioning that family and the sad circumstances; also the 
 similarity of name. And how suddenly it had flashed 
 across her that it was of their father Mrs. Smith had 
 spoken, and not of hers. But she was determined to 
 have her hopes confirmed beyond the possibility of a 
 mistake, and had instantly gone to Mrs. Smith, who 
 had taken all doubt away. 
 
 "And O, girls! I never can tell you what the 
 blessed relief is! Nothing now can ever make me un- 
 happy again, I verily believe. I thank God with my 
 whole heart, and will never cease thanking Him for 
 His goodness." 
 
 "Dear Gladys," said Kudora, wiping away her joy- 
 ful tears, "we, too, are very happy and most thank- 
 ful." 
 
 "But, O Gladys," said Kdna, "why didn't you tell 
 us? It might have been cleared up long ago. For, 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 239 
 
 of course, Mr. Crescent would have known; he was 
 with father when he died. I wonder you didn't rpeak 
 to him about it." 
 
 "Over and over I was on the point of doing so of 
 asking him some question regarding it but each time 
 I shrank from hearing the dreadful particulars, fear- 
 ing his answers would only add to my torture, how- 
 ever he might try to evade the truth. But we must 
 not leave him any longer in the store. I want to 
 thank him for what he has done for me to-day. ' ' 
 
 Then she kissed her sisters again. 
 
 ' 'Thank you both so much for all your patient good- 
 ness to me. It has not been thrown away, ungrateful 
 as I must have appeared at times. ' ' 
 
 Entering the store, she went straight over to Mr. 
 Crescent, who had risen to receive her, and held out 
 both her hands impulsively. 
 
 "How can I ever thank you, dear friend, for bring- 
 ing me such happiness! If it had not been for what 
 you said to-day I might never have known the 
 truth" 
 
 She paused abruptly, for something in his manner 
 startled her back into the dignity from which joyous 
 excitement had deprived her for the moment. She 
 was about to withdraw her hands, but he held them 
 fast. 
 
 "How can you thank me, my dear Miss Gladys? 
 Very easily. Just leave these little hands altogether 
 in my keeping, and give me the right henceforward to 
 see to it that no sorrow can come to you unshared by 
 me. And all that love can do to avert such sorrow 
 
240 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 and multiply your joys shall be done by me, as God 
 shall give me life and strength to do it." 
 
 And this time Gladys did not turn away! 
 
 That night she told it all to Eudora. 
 
 "It is only what I have long been expecting, dear 
 Gladys," said her sister, after loving congratulations. 
 "And I am very, very glad." 
 
 "And he is not so old, either," said Gladys. "And 
 he looks ever so much younger than his age. ' ' 
 
 "Yes, indeed," replied Eudora, "I never think of 
 him as being old at all." 
 
 "But, Eudora, I want to tell you, that now I see it 
 is all true what you have constantly said. Even this 
 dreadful trouble has been all for the best. Everything 
 that I used to fret over before our poverty, our posi- 
 tion in various ways, even the loss of our dear father, 
 now seem so light in comparison with what I thought 
 was the dreadful reality. Then, I don't think I shall 
 ever be proud, as I once was. That awful remem- 
 brance will be a check upon me while life lasts. So 
 that I can now truly say with you, everything has 
 been for the best, and I am heartily thankful for it all! 
 Then there is one other thing I want to say to you. Of 
 course, I have always said my prayers, and since this 
 trouble, I have many times asked the I^ord to help me. 
 But I see now that they were only half-hearted prayers. 
 I did not really believe that any relief could possibly 
 come to me. But this afternoon, just before Mr. 
 Crescent came in, the pain was terrible it seemed to 
 be pressing out my very life I felt I could no longer 
 bear it. Suddenly, it flashed across me that there 
 must be help in God for helpless sufferers, and I verily 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 241 
 
 believe for the first time in my life, I threw my whole 
 heart into a cry for that help to come to me." 
 
 For all answer, Eudora opened her little Bible and 
 read for their nightly portion the words which have 
 borne the thanksgivings of millions of happy hearts as 
 on wings to Heaven: 
 
 "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall 
 continually be in my mouth. . . O magnify the 
 I^ord with me, and let us exalt His Name together. I 
 sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me 
 from all my fears. . . Gracious is the Lord and 
 righteous: yea, our God is merciful. . . Return 
 unto thy rest, O my soul, for tne Lord hath dealt 
 bountifully with thee. For Thou hast delivered my 
 soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet 
 from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land 
 of the living. . . O give thanks unto the Lord, for 
 He is good, for His mercy endureth forever." 
 
 Two mornings after, as Edna opened the store, she 
 noticed a small parcel on the counter. Taking it up, 
 she read on the back, "The missing money. All 
 things come to him who knows how to wait." 
 
 She opened the package in a great state of excite- 
 ment. There was the sum of sixty-seven dollars 
 the exact amount of what she had lost. Rushing into 
 the kitchen where her sisters were busy, "What do 
 you suppose I have found ? " she blurted out, holding 
 the parcel behind her back. "Guess quickly, girls 
 do guess quickly." Then, as they hesitated, she 
 could no longer contain herself. 
 
 "The money! Every cent of the sixty-seven dollars! 
 Lying this way on the counter! Here it is all come 
 
242 A BUSINESS VENTURE; OR, 
 
 back to me! Just as I had become content to give it 
 up, and to be quite happy without it!" 
 
 When Mr. Crescent came that evening, and Edna 
 eagerly questioned him regarding the recovered treas- 
 ure, she could get no satisfaction from him. 
 
 "Be content with the fact that the money is yours 
 again, my dear child. Curiosity is said to be an at- 
 tribute of woman, but she is much better without it. 
 And now I have something of importance to tell 
 you. I am acquainted with one of the bankers of this 
 city. Yesterday he told me that their lady stenogra- 
 pher was shortly to be married, and that they would 
 be glad to supply her place with any one I would 
 recommend to them. So begin at once on your lessons 
 in stenography, Miss Edna. I have ascertained that 
 with ordinary ability and close study one can master 
 the art in about three months. That will be the time 
 when the present stenographer leaves, and I think I 
 may safely give your name as applicant for the po- 
 sition. ' ' 
 
 Edna had been looking delighted while Mr. Cres- 
 cent was speaking; now a shade of soberness passed 
 over her countenance. 
 
 "But what will become of the store in the mornings, 
 Mr. Crescent? For if I am to be ready so soon, I 
 must give my whole attention to it." 
 
 "It has occurred to me," said Mr. Crescent, "that 
 it would be an act of charity, as well as a convenience 
 to you, if you should employ one of the young ladies 
 whose name so closely resembles your own, to act as 
 your clerk in the store. She might thus be learning 
 the business; and possibly, eventually, if you should 
 
A CHRISTIAN OPTIMIST. 243 
 
 be successful in the bank, she might buy you out, and 
 become the proprietor of this grand establishment! 
 Of course, in that case, the mother and sister would 
 also come here to live. ' ' 
 
 "And where should we go?" asked Edna, in sur- 
 prise. She had not yet been informed of the new ar- 
 rangement. 
 
 "Well," replied Mr. Crescent, with one of his funny 
 looks, "I think a change of residence will be in order 
 about that time, and I shall take it upon myself to see 
 that none of you suffer by the change. ' ' 
 
 Here for the present the story ends. 
 
 But a chorus of voices is asking: Did Mr. Ernest 
 come back when the three months were over?. He did. 
 And was Eudora no more questions, dear readers. 
 This is not a strictly so-called love story, and if you 
 insist on further particulars, you can follow Edna's 
 example and draw upon your own imagination to any 
 extent desired. 
 
 But be very sure that, whatever in after life befell 
 Eudora, it was the very best befalling that could pos- 
 sibly be hers. And may we not believe that, when her 
 work here below was over, she would in that Higher 
 Sphere resume and finish the song so loved on earth 
 "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the 
 days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the 
 forever. ' ' 
 
 THE) END.