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diff --git a/20347-h/20347-h.htm b/20347-h/20347-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1d9a58 --- /dev/null +++ b/20347-h/20347-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8021 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Moving Picture Girls Snowbound, by Laura Lee Hope</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 75%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Moving Picture Girls Snowbound, by Laura +Lee Hope</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Moving Picture Girls Snowbound</p> +<p> Or, The Proof on the Film</p> +<p>Author: Laura Lee Hope</p> +<p>Release Date: January 12, 2007 [eBook #20347]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOWBOUND***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, J. P. W. Fraser, Emmy,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net/c/)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>The<br /> +Moving Picture Girls<br /> +Snowbound</h1> + +<h3>OR</h3> + +<h3>The Proof on the Film</h3> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>LAURA LEE HOPE</h2> + +<div class='center'> +AUTHOR OF "THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS," "THE MOVING PICTURE<br /> +GIRLS AT OAK FARM," "THE OUTDOOR GIRLS<br /> +SERIES," "THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES," ETC.<br /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +<i>ILLUSTRATED</i><br /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +THE WORLD SYNDICATE PUBLISHING CO.<br /> +CLEVELAND NEW YORK<br /> +<small>Made in U.S.A.</small><br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class='center'><small> +<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1914, by</span><br /> +GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /> +<br /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<span class="smcap">Press of</span><br /> +THE COMMERCIAL BOOKBINDING CO.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Cleveland</span></small><br /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 256px;"> +<img src="images/p003.jpg" width="256" height="400" alt="THE MOVING PICTURE RACE WAS ON." title="THE MOVING PICTURE RACE WAS ON." /> +<span class="caption">THE MOVING PICTURE RACE WAS ON.</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>The Moving Girls Snowbound.</i> —<a href='#Page_113'><i>Page</i> 113</a>.</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">chapter</span></td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'><span class="smcap">page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Trouble</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">An Unpleasant Visitor</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_10'>10</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Russ to the Rescue</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_20'>20</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Funny Film</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_27'>27</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Queer Accident</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_36'>36</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">New Plans</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_46'>46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Off to the Woods</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_56'>56</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Breakdown</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_63'>63</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Blizzard</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_73'>73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">At Elk Lodge</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_79'>79</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Through the Ice</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_89'>89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Curious Deer</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_99'>99</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Coasting Race</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_106'>106</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">On Snowshoes</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_114'>114</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Timely Shot</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_124'>124</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In the Ice Cave</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_132'>132</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Rescue</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_139'>139</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Snowbound</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_148'>148</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">On Short Rations</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_158'>158</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Thaw</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_166'>166</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">In the Storm</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_174'>174</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Three Men</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_181'>181</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Plan of Russ</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_191'>191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Proof on the Film</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_199'>199</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Moving Picture</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_207'>207</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS<br /> +SNOWBOUND</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>TROUBLE</h3> + + +<p>"Daddy is late; isn't he, Ruth?" asked Alice +DeVere of her sister, as she looked up from her +sewing.</p> + +<p>"A little," answered the girl addressed, a tall, +fair maid, with deep blue eyes, in the depths of +which hidden meaning seemed to lie, awaiting +discovery by someone.</p> + +<p>"A little!" exclaimed Alice, who was rather +plump, and whose dark brown hair and eyes were +in pleasing contrast to her sister's fairness. +"Why, he's more than an hour late, and he's seldom +that! He promised to be back from the +moving picture studio at four, and now it's after +five."</p> + +<p>"I know, dear, but you remember he said he +had many things to talk over with Mr. Pertell, +and perhaps it has taken him longer than he anticipated.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Besides you know there are some new plans +to be considered," went on Ruth. "Mr. Pertell +wants to get some different kinds of moving pictures—snow +scenes, I believe—and perhaps he has +kept daddy to talk about them. But why are you +so impatient? Are you afraid something has happened +to him?"</p> + +<p>"Gracious, no! What put that idea into your +head?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't know whether you had noticed +it or not, but poor daddy hasn't been quite himself +since we came back from Oak Farm. I am +afraid something is bothering him—or worrying +him."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is his voice, though it has seemed +better of late."</p> + +<p>"I think not," said Ruth, slowly, as she bent +her head in a listening attitude, for a step was +coming along the hallway in the Fenmore Apartment, +where the DeVere girls and their father +had their rather limited quarters.</p> + +<p>"That isn't he," said Ruth, with a little sigh of +disappointment. "I thought at first it was. No, +I don't mean that it was his voice, Alice. That +really seems better since he so suddenly became +hoarse, and had to take up moving picture work +instead of the legitimate drama he loves so much. +It is some other trouble, Alice."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I hadn't noticed it, I confess. But I suppose +you'll say that I'm so flighty I never notice anything."</p> + +<p>"I never called you flighty, dear. You are of +a lively disposition, that's all."</p> + +<p>"And you are a wee bit too much the other +way, sister mine!" And then, to take any sting +out of the words, Alice rose from her chair with +a bound, crossed the room in a rush, and flung +her arms about her sister, embracing her heartily +and kissing her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alice!" protested the other. "You are +crushing me!"</p> + +<p>"I'm a regular bear, I suppose. Hark, is that +daddy?"</p> + +<p>They both listened, but the footsteps died away +as before.</p> + +<p>"Why are you so anxious?"</p> + +<p>"I want some money, sister mine, and daddy +promised to bring my moving picture salary up +with him. I wanted to do a little shopping before +the stores close. But I'm afraid it's too late now," +the girl added, ruefully. "Daddy said he'd be +here in plenty of time, and he never <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'dissappointed'">disappointed</ins> +me before."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if that's all you're worrying about, I'll +lend you some money."</p> + +<p>"Will you, really? Then I'll get ready and go.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +There's that little French shop just around the +corner. They keep open after the others. Madame +Morey is so thrifty, and there was the +sweetest shirt waist in the window the other day. +I hope it isn't gone! I'll get ready at once. You +be getting out the money, Ruth, dear. Is there +anything I can get for you? It's awfully kind of +you. Shall I bring back anything for supper?"</p> + +<p>"Gracious, what a rattlebox you're getting to +be, Alice," spoke Ruth, soberly, as she laid aside +her sewing and went to the bureau for her pocketbook.</p> + +<p>"That's half of life!" laughed the younger +girl. "Quick, Ruth, I want to get out and get +back, and be here when daddy comes. I want to +hear all about the new plans for taking moving +picture plays. Is that the money? Thanks! I'm +off!" and the girl fairly rushed down the hall of +the apartment. Ruth heard her call a greeting to +Mrs. Dalwood, who lived across the corridor—a +cheery greeting, in her fresh, joyous voice.</p> + +<p>"Dear little sister!" murmured Ruth, as she +sat with folded hands, looking off into space and +meditating. "She enjoys life!"</p> + +<p>And certainly Alice DeVere did. Not that +Ruth did not also; but it was in a different way. +Alice was of a more lively disposition, and her +father said she reminded him every day more and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +more of her dead mother. Ruth had an element +of romanticism in her character, which perhaps +accounted for her dreaminess at times. In the +work of acting and posing for moving pictures, +which was what the two girls, and their father, a +veteran actor, were engaged in, Ruth always +played the romantic parts, while nothing so rejoiced +Alice as to have a hoydenish part to enact.</p> + +<p>Alice hastened along the streets, now covered +with a film of newly fallen snow. It was sifting +down from a leaden sky, and the clouds had added +to the darkness which was already coming that +November evening.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's good to be alive, such weather as +this!" Alice exulted as she hastened along, the +crisp air and the exercise bringing to her cheeks +a deeper bloom. Her eyes shone, and there was +so much of life and youth and vitality in her +that, as she hastened along through the falling +snow, which dusted itself on her furs, more than +one passerby turned to look at her in admiration. +She was a "moving picture" in herself.</p> + +<p>She lingered long in the quaint little French +shop, there were so many bargains in the way of +lingerie. Alice looked at many longingly, and +turned some over more longingly, but she thought +of her purse, and knew it would not stand the +strain to which she contemplated putting it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll just have to wait about the others, Madame," +she said, with a sigh. "I've really bought +more now than I intended."</p> + +<p>"I hope zat Mademoiselle will come often!" +laughed the French woman.</p> + +<p>Back through the streets, now covered with +snow, hastened Alice, tripping lightly, and now +and then, when she thought no one was watching +her, she took a little run and slide, as in the days +of her childhood. Not that she was much more +than a child still, being only a little over fifteen. +Ruth was two years her senior, but Ruth considered +herself quite "grown up."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if daddy has come back yet?" Alice +mused, as she hastened on to the apartment. +"That looks like Russ Dalwood ahead of me," +she went on, referring to the son of the neighbor +across the hall. Russ "filmed," or made the +moving pictures for the company by whom Mr. +DeVere and his daughters were engaged. "Yes, +it is Russ!" the girl exclaimed. "He has probably +come right from the studio, and he'll know +about daddy. Russ! Russ!" she called, as she +came nearer to the young man.</p> + +<p>He turned, and a welcoming smile lighted his +face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, hello, Alice!" he greeted, genially. +"Where's Ruth?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Just for that I shan't tell you! Don't you +want to walk with <i>me?</i>" she asked, archly. +"Why must you always ask for Ruth when I +meet you alone?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't! I mean—I—er——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't try to make it any worse!" she +laughed at his discomfiture. "Let it go at that! +Did you just come from the studio?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we had a hard day of it. I forget +how many thousand feet of film I reeled off."</p> + +<p>"Was my father there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he was with Mr. Pertell when I came +out."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what makes him so late?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, there's a rush of work on. But I think +he'll be along soon, for I heard Mr. Pertell say +he wouldn't keep him five minutes."</p> + +<p>"That's good. Oh, dear! Isn't it slippery!" +she cried, as she barely saved herself from falling.</p> + +<p>"Take my arm," invited Russ.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, I will. I came out in a hurry to do +a little shopping. Ruth is at home. There, I +told you after all. I'm of a forgiving spirit, +you see."</p> + +<p>"I see," he laughed.</p> + +<p>They stepped along lightly together, laughing +and talking, for Russ was almost like a brother<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +to the DeVere girls, though the two families had +only known each other since both had come to +the Fenmore Apartment, about a year before.</p> + +<p>"Did they film any big plays to-day?" asked +Alice. "I know Mr. Pertell said he wouldn't +need Ruth and myself, so of course they didn't +do anything really good. Not at all conceited; +am I?" she asked, with a rippling laugh.</p> + +<p>"Well, you're right this time—there wasn't +much of importance doing," Russ replied. "Miss +Pennington and Miss Dixon had some pretty +good parts, but the stuff was mostly comic to-day."</p> + +<p>"That suited Mr. Switzer, then. I think he is +the nicest German comedian I ever knew, and I +met quite a number when father was appearing +in real plays."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Switzer is a good sort. But you should +have seen Mr. Sneed to-day!"</p> + +<p>"Found fault with everything; eh?"</p> + +<p>"I should say so, and then some, as the boys +say. He said something was sure to happen +before the day was over, and it did—a stone wall +fell on him."</p> + +<p>"Really?"</p> + +<p>"Really, but not real stone. It was one of +Pop Snooks's scenic creations. One of the pieces +of wood hit Mr. Sneed on the head, so something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +happened. And what a fuss he made! He's the +real grouch of the company, all right. Well, here +we are!" and the young man guided his companion +into the hallway of the Fenmore.</p> + +<p>"See you again!" called Alice, as she went +into her door and Russ into his.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Alice?" called Ruth, from an +inner room.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear. Has daddy come home?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet. I wonder if we'd better telephone?"</p> + +<p>"No, I just met Russ, and he said daddy would +be right along. He's planning something with +Mr. Pertell."</p> + +<p>The table was nearly prepared when a step was +heard in the hall.</p> + +<p>"There he is now!" cried Alice, as she flew +to open the door before her father could get out +his key. But as he entered, and Alice reached up +to kiss him, she cried out in amazement at the +look on his face.</p> + +<p>"Why, Daddy! Has anything happened?" +she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said in his hoarse voice—a hoarseness +caused by a throat affection. "Yes, something +has happened, or is going to. I'm in serious +trouble!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>AN UNPLEASANT VISITOR</h3> + + +<p>Ruth overheard the question asked by Alice, +and her father's answer. She came in swiftly, +and put her arms about him, as her sister had +done.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Daddy dear, what is it?" she asked, +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I—I'll tell you—presently," he replied, chokingly. +"I am a little out of breath. I am getting +too—too stout. And my throat has bothered +me a good deal of late. Would you mind +getting me that throat spray and medicine Dr. +Rathby left? That always helps me."</p> + +<p>"I'll get it," offered Alice, quickly, as her +father sank into a chair, and while she searched +in the medicine closet for it, there was a dull +ache in her heart. More trouble! And there +had been so much of it of late. The sun had +seemed to break through the clouds, and now it +had gone behind again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + +<p>And while the girls are thus preparing to minister +to their father, I will tell my new readers +something of the previous books of this series, +and a little about the main characters.</p> + +<p>In the initial volume, entitled "The Moving +Picture Girls; Or, First Appearances in Photo +Dramas," I related how Mr. Hosmer DeVere, a +talented actor, suddenly lost his voice, by the return +of an old throat affection. He had just +been "cast" for an important part in a new +play, but had to give it up, as he could not speak +distinctly enough to be heard across the footlights.</p> + +<p>The DeVere family fortunes were at low ebb, +and money was much needed. By accident Russ +Dalwood, a moving picture operator, suggested +to one of the girls that their father might act for +a moving picture film company, as he would not +have to use his voice in such employment.</p> + +<p>How Mr. DeVere took the engagement, and +how Ruth and Alice followed him, as well as +their part in helping Russ to save a valuable +camera patent—all this you will find set down in +the first book.</p> + +<p>In the second volume, entitled "The Moving +Picture Girls at Oak Farm; Or, Queer Happenings +While Taking Rural Plays," the scene was +shifted to the country. There you may read of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +many strange occurrences, as well as funny ones—how +Alice fell into the water—but there! I +must save my space in this book for the happenings +of it. I might add that, incidentally, the +girls helped to solve a strange mystery concerning +Oak Farm, and solved it in a way that made +glad the hearts of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Apgar, +the parents of Sandy, and of the heart of Sandy +himself.</p> + +<p>Mr. Frank Pertell was the manager of the +Comet Film Company, with whom Mr. DeVere +and his daughters had an engagement, and the +entire company, including the DeVeres, spent a +whole summer at Oak Farm, in New Jersey, +making rural plays.</p> + +<p>The company had just returned to New York +City, to finish some dramas there, and Mr. Pertell +was working on new plans, which were not, +as yet, fully developed.</p> + +<p>The Comet Film Company included a number +of people, and you will meet some of them from +time to time as this story advances. You have already +heard of a few members. In addition there +was Wellington Bunn, a former Shakespearean +actor, who could never seem to get away from an +ambition to do Hamlet. Pepper Sneed was the +"grouch" of the company, always finding fault, +or worrying lest something happen. Paul Ardite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +was the "leading juvenile," the father of the +moving picture girls being the leading man. The +girls themselves, though comparatively new to the +business, had made wonderful strides, for they +had the advantage of private "coaching" at home +from Mr. DeVere.</p> + +<p>Miss Pearl Pennington and Miss Laura Dixon +were former vaudeville actresses, who had gone +into the "movies," and between them and the +DeVeres there was not the best of feeling; caused +by the jealousy of the former.</p> + +<p>Carl Switzer, a German with a marked accent, +generally did "comics." Then there was Mrs. +Maguire, who did "old woman" parts. She had +two grandchildren, Tommy and Nellie, who frequently +played minor <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'roles'">rôles</ins>.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel any better, Daddy?" asked Ruth, +as she took from her father's hand the atomizer +he had been using on his throat.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the pain is much less. Dr. Rathby's +medicine is a wonderful help."</p> + +<p>"Do you feel like—talking?" inquired Alice +gently, for she saw that the worried look had not +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'felt'">left</ins> her father's face.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered, with a smile, "but I do +not want to burden you girls with all of my +troubles."</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't you?" asked Ruth, quickly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +"Who would you share your troubles with, if not +with us? We must help each other!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so," returned Mr. DeVere, in +a low voice. "And yet, after all, I suppose this +is not such a terrible trouble. It will not kill any +of us. But it will make a hard pull for me if I +cannot prove my contention."</p> + +<p>"What is that?" asked Alice. "Is there some +trouble with the film company? You haven't lost +your engagement; have you, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, it isn't that," he answered. "I'll +tell you. Just a little more of that spray, please, +Alice. I will then be better able to talk."</p> + +<p>In a few moments he resumed:</p> + +<p>"Did you ever hear me speak of a Dan +Merley?"</p> + +<p>"You mean that man who came to see you +when we lived in the other apartment—the nicer +one?" asked Ruth, for the Fenmore was not one +of the high-class residences of New York. The +DeVeres had not been able to afford a better +home in the time of their poverty. And when +better days came they had still remained, as they +liked their neighbors, the Dalwoods. Then, too, +they had been away all summer at Oak Farm.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was the man," replied Mr. DeVere. +"Well, in my hard luck days I borrowed five +hundred dollars from him to meet some pressing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +needs. I gave him my note for it. By hard +work, later, I was able to scrape the five hundred +dollars together, and I paid him back.</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately Dan Merley was a bit under +the influence of drink when I gave him the cash, +and he could not find my promissory note to +return to me.</p> + +<p>"He promised to send it around to me the +next day, and, very foolishly, as I see it now, I +let him keep the money, not even getting a receipt +for it. I am not a business man—never +was one. I trusted Dan Merley, and I should +not have done so."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Because he came to me to-day, for the first +time in several months, and demanded his five +hundred dollars. I told him I had paid it, and +tried to recall to him the circumstances. But, as +I said, he was slightly intoxicated when I gave +him the bills, and his mind was not clear. He +declares positively that I never paid him, and +he says he will make trouble for me if I do +not hand him over the money in a short +time."</p> + +<p>"But you did give it to him, Daddy!" exclaimed +Alice.</p> + +<p>"Of course I did; but I have no proof."</p> + +<p>"Did you pay him by check?" asked Ruth,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +who was quite a business woman, and keeper +of the house.</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately I was not prosperous enough +in those days to have a bank account," answered +Mr. DeVere. "A check would be a receipt; but +I haven't that. In fact, I haven't a particle of +evidence to show that I paid the money. And +Dan Merley has my note. He could sue me on +it, and any court would give him a judgment +against me, so he could collect."</p> + +<p>"But that would be paying him twice!" exclaimed +Alice.</p> + +<p>"I know it, and that is the injustice of it. It +would be out of the question for me to raise +five hundred dollars now. My throat treatment +has been expensive, and though we are making +good money at the moving picture business, I +have not enough to pay this debt twice."</p> + +<p>"He is a wicked man!" burst out Alice.</p> + +<p>"My dear!" Ruth gently reproved.</p> + +<p>"I don't care! He is, to make daddy pay +twice!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is hard lines," sighed the veteran +actor. "I have begged and pleaded with Merley, +imploring him to try and remember that I +paid him, but he is positive that I did not do +so."</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose he really thinks so—that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +is honest in his belief that you never paid him?" +asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Well, it is a hard thing to say against a +man, when I have no proof," replied Mr. DeVere, +"but I believe, in his heart, Dan Merley +knows I paid him. I think he is just trying to +make me pay him over again to cheat me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how can he be so cruel?" cried Alice.</p> + +<p>"He is a hard man to deal with," went on +her father. "A very hard man. This has been +bothering me all day. I simply cannot pay that +five hundred dollars; and yet, if I don't——"</p> + +<p>"Can they lock you up, Daddy?" Alice questioned, +fearfully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, dear, not that. But he can make it +very unpleasant for me. He can force me to go +to court, and that would take me away from the +film studio. I might even lose my engagement +there if I had to spend too much time over a +lawsuit.</p> + +<p>"But, worst of all, my reputation will suffer. +I have always been honest, and I have paid every +debt I owed, though sometimes it took a little +while to do it. Now if this comes to smirch my +character, I don't know what I shall do."</p> + +<p>"Poor Daddy!" said Ruth, softly, as she +smoothed his rumpled hair.</p> + +<p>"There, girls, don't let me bother you," he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +said, as gaily as he could. "Perhaps there may +come a way out."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you ask the advice of Mr. Pertell?" +suggested Ruth.</p> + +<p>"I believe I will," agreed her father. "He is +a good business man. I wish I was. If I had +been I would have insisted on getting either a +receipt from Merley, or my note back. But I +trusted him. I thought he was a friend of mine."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's have supper," suggested Alice. +"Matters may look brighter then."</p> + +<p>"And I'll go see Mr. Pertell this evening," +promised Mr. DeVere. "He may be able to advise +and help me."</p> + +<p>The meal was not a very jolly one at first, but +gradually the feeling of gloom passed as the supper +progressed. Mr. DeVere told of what had +happened that day at the film studio where the +moving pictures were made.</p> + +<p>"Now I think I'll go see Mr. Pertell," the actor +announced, as he rose from the table. "He said +he would be in his office late to-night, as he is +working on some new plans."</p> + +<p>"What are they, Daddy?" asked Alice. "Are +we to go off to some farm again?"</p> + +<p>"Not this time. I believe there are to be some +winter scenes taken, though just where we will go +for them has not been announced. Well, I'm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +off," and, kissing the girls good-bye, Mr. DeVere +went out.</p> + +<p>Ruth and Alice, in his absence, discussed the +new source of trouble that had come to them. +They had been so happy all summer, that the blow +fell doubly heavy.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it just horrid!" exclaimed Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Too mean for anything!" agreed Alice. "I +wish I had that Dan Merley here. I—I'd——"</p> + +<p>But Alice did not finish. Ruth had looked at +her, to stop her rather impulsive sister from the +use of too violent an expression. But there was +no need of this. An interruption came in the +form of a knock at the door.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" asked Ruth, and there came a +little note of fear into her voice, for she was +timid, and she realized at once that it was not one +of their kind neighbors from across the hall. +Russ, his mother, and his brother Billy always +rapped in a characteristic manner.</p> + +<p>"It's me—Dan Merley, and I want to see the +old man!" was the answer. The girls drew together +in fright, for they recognized by the thickness +of the voice that the owner was not altogether +himself.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" gasped Alice, and then the door was +pushed open, for the catch had been left off, and +a man came unsteadily into the room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>RUSS TO THE RESCUE</h3> + + +<p>"Where's the boss?" asked the man, as he +leaned heavily against the table. "I want to see +the boss."</p> + +<p>"Do you—do you mean my—my father?" +faltered Ruth, as she stepped protectingly in front +of Alice.</p> + +<p>"That's jest who I mean, young lady," and the +new-comer leered at her. "Is he in? If he isn't +I won't mind an awful lot. I'll wait for him. +This is a nice place," and, without being invited +he slouched into a chair.</p> + +<p>"My—my father is——"</p> + +<p>"He'll be back in just a little while!" interrupted +Alice, briskly. "Did he tell you to come +here?"</p> + +<p>"Nope! I told myself!" replied the man. "I'm +glad I did, too. This is nice place and you're +nice girls, too. Sisters, I take it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You need not discuss us!" exclaimed Ruth +with dignity. "If you will leave word what your +business with my father is I will have him call on +you."</p> + +<p>"What, leave? Me leave? Nothin' doin', sister. +I'm too comfortable here," and he leaned +back in the chair and laughed foolishly.</p> + +<p>"What—what did you want to see Mr. DeVere +about?" inquired Ruth, though she could well +guess.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what it's about," said Dan Merley, +confidentially. "It's about money. I want +five hundred dollars from your father, and I want +it quick—with interest, too. Don't forget that."</p> + +<p>"My father paid you that money!" Ruth declared, +with boldness.</p> + +<p>"He did not!" denied the unpleasant visitor. +"He owes it to me yet, and I want it. And, +what's more I'm going to have it!"</p> + +<p>"That is unfair—unjust!" said Ruth, and +there was a trace of tears in her voice. "My +father paid you the money, and you promised to +give him back the note—the paper that showed +you had loaned it to him. But you never did."</p> + +<p>"How do you know all this?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Because my father was just telling us about +it—a little while ago. He said you had—forgotten."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I know! He said I'd been drinking too +much; didn't he?"</p> + +<p>Ruth and Alice drew further back, offended by +his coarse language.</p> + +<p>"He—he said you were not—quite yourself," +spoke Alice gently.</p> + +<p>"Oh ho! Another one! So there's two of you +here!" laughed the man. "Well, this certainly is +a nice place. I guess I'll stay until the boss comes +back. That is, unless you have the five hundred +dollars here, and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'went'">want</ins> to pay me," he added, +with a sickly grin.</p> + +<p>"You have been paid once," Ruth insisted.</p> + +<p>"I have not—I never was paid!" Dan Merley +cried. "I want my money and I'm going to have +it! Do you hear? I'm going to have it, and +have it soon! You tell your father that from +me!" and he banged his fist on the table.</p> + +<p>Ruth and Alice looked at each other. The same +thought was in both their minds, and it shone +from their eyes. They must leave at once—the +door was slightly open.</p> + +<p>"No more monkey business!" cried the unwelcome +caller. "I lent your father that money +and he never paid me back. He may say he did; +but he can't prove it. I hold his note, and if he +doesn't pay me I'll——"</p> + +<p>"What will you do?" interrupted a new voice,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +and with relief Ruth and Alice looked up, to see +Russ Dalwood entering the room.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," he said to the girls, "I knocked, +but you did not seem to hear. Possibly there was +too much noise," and he looked at the man significantly. +"Is there any trouble here?" the young +moving picture operator asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Russ, make him—make him go!" begged +Alice, half sobbing. "He wants to see my father—it's +some sort of unjust money claim—and he +wants to enforce it. Father has gone out——"</p> + +<p>"And that's just where this person is going!" +announced Russ, advancing toward the man.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded Merley in an ugly +tone.</p> + +<p>"I said you were going out. It's your cue to +move!"</p> + +<p>"I don't move until I get my five hundred dollars," +answered the visitor. "I've waited for it +long enough."</p> + +<p>"My father paid you!" protested Ruth.</p> + +<p>"I say he did not!" and again the man banged +the table with his fist.</p> + +<p>"Well, whether he did or not is a question for +you and Mr. DeVere to settle," said Russ, in +firm tones. "You will kindly leave these young +ladies alone."</p> + +<p>"I will; eh? Who says so?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I do!"</p> + +<p>"And who are you?"</p> + +<p>"A friend. I must ask you to leave."</p> + +<p>"Not until I get my five hundred dollars!"</p> + +<p>"Look here!" exclaimed Russ, and, though he +spoke in low tones, there was that in his voice +which made it very determined. "You may have +a valid claim against Mr. DeVere, or you may +not. I will not go into that. But he is not at +home, and you will have to come again. +You have no right in here. I must ask you to +leave."</p> + +<p>"Huh! You haven't any right here either. +You can't give <i>me</i> orders."</p> + +<p>"They are not my orders. This is a request +from the young ladies themselves, and I am +merely seeing that it is carried out. You don't +want him here; do you?" he asked, of the two +girls.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! Please go!" begged Ruth.</p> + +<p>"I want my money!" cried the man.</p> + +<p>"Look here!" exclaimed Russ, taking hold of +Merley's shoulder. "You will either leave +quietly, or I'll summon a policeman and have you +arrested. Even if you have a claim against Mr. +DeVere, and I don't believe you have, that gives +you no right to trespass here. Take your claim +to court!"</p> + +<p>"I tell you I want my money now!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, you'll not get it. You have your remedy +at law. Now leave at once, do you hear?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I hear all right, and you'll hear from me +later. I will go to law, and I'll have my five hundred +dollars. I'll bring suit against Mr. DeVere, +and then he'll wish he'd paid me, for he'll have to +settle my claim and costs besides. Oh, I'll sue all +right!"</p> + +<p>"I don't care what you do, as long as you get +out of here!" cried Russ, sharply, for he saw +that the strain was telling on Ruth and Alice. +"Leave at once!"</p> + +<p>"Suppose I don't go?"</p> + +<p>"Then I'll put you out!"</p> + +<p>Russ looked very brave as he said this. Ruth +glanced at him, and thought he had never appeared +to better advantage. And between Russ +and Ruth there was—but there, I am getting +ahead of my story.</p> + +<p>"Are you going?" asked the young moving +picture operator, again.</p> + +<p>"Well, rather than have a row, I will. But I +warn you I'll sue DeVere and I'll get my money, +too. It's all nonsense for him to say he paid me. +Where's his proof? I ask you that. Where's +his proof?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind about that," returned Russ, +calmly. "It's your move, as I said before. And +you can give a good imitation of a moving pic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>ture +film showing a man getting out of a room."</p> + +<p>With no good grace the man arose clumsily +from his chair, and with leers at Ruth and Alice, +who were clinging to each other on the far side +of the room, the visitor started for the door.</p> + +<p>"I'll see you again!" he called, coarsely. +"Then maybe the laugh will be on my side. I'm +going to have my money, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>Russ kept after the man, and walked behind +him to the door. There Dan Merley paused to +exclaim, in loud tones:</p> + +<p>"You wait—I'll get my money out of DeVere—you'll +see!"</p> + +<p>Then he stumbled on down the hallway, and +Russ quickly closed and locked the door.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Russ!" exclaimed Ruth. Then she sank +into a chair, and bent forward with her head pillowed +in her arms on the table.</p> + +<p>"There, there," said the young man gently, as +he put his hand on her head. "It's all right—he's +gone. Don't be afraid."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but what a dreadful man!" cried Alice. +"I could——"</p> + +<p>"Don't, dear," begged her sister gently, as she +raised her head. There were tears in her eyes. +Russ gently slipped his hand over her little rosy +palm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>A FUNNY FILM</h3> + + +<p>For a moment Ruth remained thus, while, +Alice, with flashing eyes, stood looking at the +door leading into the hall, as if anticipating the +return of that unpleasant visitor. Then Ruth +lifted her head, and with a rosy blush, and a shy +look at Russ, disengaged her hand.</p> + +<p>"I—I feel better now," she said.</p> + +<p>"That's good," and he smiled. "I don't believe +that fellow will come back. I'll stay here. +Is your father out?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and all on account of that horrid man," +answered Alice. "Oh, it was so good of you to +come in Russ!"</p> + +<p>"I happened to be coming here anyhow," he +answered. "When I saw the door open, and +heard what was said, which I could not help doing, +I did not stand on ceremony."</p> + +<p>"It was awfully good of you," murmured +Ruth, who now seemed quite herself again. "I +suppose you heard what that man said?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not all," he made reply. "It was something +about money though, I gathered. He was demanding +it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and after father has already paid it," +put in Alice. "That's where daddy has gone +now—to consult Mr. Pertell as to the best course +of action."</p> + +<p>Between them, Ruth and Alice told about Dan +Merley's claim, and the injustice of it. Russ was +duly sympathetic.</p> + +<p>"If I were your father I would pay no attention +to his demand," the young moving picture +operator said.</p> + +<p>"But suppose he sues, as he threatened?" +asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Let him, and fight the case in court when it +comes up. Merley may be only 'bluffing', to +use a common expression."</p> + +<p>"But it annoys daddy almost as much as if +the case were real, you see," said Ruth. "Won't +you sit down, Russ? Excuse our impoliteness, +but really we've been quite upset."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," he laughed as he took a chair. +"You need cheering up. You come to the studio +to-morrow and forget your troubles in a good +laugh."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Alice. "Ruth and I are not +down for any parts to-morrow."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, but Mr. Switzer is going to do some +comic stunts, and Mr. Bunn and Mr. Sneed are +in them with him. There are to be some trick +films, I believe."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go," decided Alice. "I think a +laugh would do me good."</p> + +<p>Gradually the little fright wore off, and when +Mr. DeVere returned shortly afterward the girls +were themselves again, under the happy influence +of Russ.</p> + +<p>"What luck, Daddy?" asked Alice, as her +father came in. He shook his head, as she +added: "Russ knows all about it," for she gathered +that he might not like to speak before the +young man. "What did Mr. Pertell say?"</p> + +<p>"He advised me to wait until Merley made +the next move, and then come and see him again. +He said he would then send me to the attorney +for the film company, who would handle my case +without charge."</p> + +<p>"How good of him!" cried Ruth, impulsively.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pertell gave daddy the same advice Russ +gave us," added Alice. "Oh, it was so good to +have him here when that dreadful man came in," +she went on.</p> + +<p>"What man?" asked Mr. DeVere, in surprise. +"Was someone in here while I was gone—those +camera scoundrels, Russ?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, it was Dan Merley himself!" exclaimed +Ruth, "and he was so horrid, Daddy!" There +was a hint of tears in her voice.</p> + +<p>"The impertinent scoundrel!" exclaimed Mr. +DeVere, in the manner that had won him such +success on the stage. "I shall go to the police +and——"</p> + +<p>"No, don't Daddy dear," begged Ruth laying +a detaining hand on his arm, as he turned to the +door. "That would only make it more unpleasant +for us. We would have to go to court and +testify, if you had him arrested. And, besides, +I don't know on what charge you could cause his +arrest. He really did nothing to us, except to +hurt our feelings and scare us. But I fancy Russ +scared him in turn. Don't go to the police, +Daddy."</p> + +<p>"All right," he agreed. "But tell me all about +it."</p> + +<p>They did so, by turns, and Mr. DeVere's anger +waxed hot against Merley as he listened. But +he realized that it was best to take no rash step, +much as he desired to. So he finally calmed +down.</p> + +<p>"If I could only prove that I had paid that +money," he murmured, "all would be well. I +must make it a point, after this, to be more business-like. +It is like locking the stable door after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +the automobile is gone, though, in this case," he +added, with a whimsical smile.</p> + +<p>Russ remained a little longer, and then took +his leave. Ruth saw to it, even getting up out of +bed to do it, that the chain was on the hall door. +For she was in nervous doubt as to whether or +not she had taken that precaution. But she +found the portal secure.</p> + +<p>"That man might come back in the night," +she thought. But she did not confide her fear to +Alice.</p> + +<p>Morning revealed a new and wonderful scene. +For in the night there had been a heavy storm, +and the ground of Central Park was white with +snow. A little rain had fallen, and then had frozen, +and the trees were encased in ice. Then as +the sun shone brightly, it flashed as on millions +of diamonds, dazzling and glittering. Winter +had come early, and with more severity than +usual in the vicinity of New York.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how lovely!" cried Alice, as she looked +out. "I must have a slide, if I can find a place! +Ruth, I'm going to wash your face!"</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare!"</p> + +<p>But Alice raised the window, and from the sill +took a <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'handfull'">handful</ins> of snow. She rushed over to +her sister with it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p><p>"Stop it! Stop it! Don't you dare!" +screamed Ruth. Then she squealed as she felt +the cold snow on her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with you girls in there?" +called Mr. DeVere from his apartment. "You +seem merry enough."</p> + +<p>"We are," answered Alice. "I've washed +Ruth's face, and I'm going to wash yours in a +minute."</p> + +<p>"Just as you like," he laughed. And then he +sighed, for he recalled a time when his girlish +wife had once challenged him the same way, +when they were on their honeymoon. For Mrs. +DeVere had been vivacious like Alice, and the +younger daughter was a constant reminder to her +father of his dead wife—a happy and yet a sad +reminder.</p> + +<p>Alice came rushing in with more snow, and +there was a merry little scene before breakfast. +Then Mr. DeVere hurried to the film studio, for +he was to take part in several dramas that day.</p> + +<p>"I know I'll be late," he said, "for the travel +will be slow this morning, on account of the +snow. And I have to go part way by surface +car, as I have an errand on the way down town."</p> + +<p>"We're coming down, also," Ruth informed +him.</p> + +<p>"Why, you're not in anything to-day," he +remarked, pausing in the act of putting on his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +overcoat. "You're not cast for anything until +'The Price of Honor,' to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"But we're going down, just the same," Alice +laughed. "We want to see some of the funny +films."</p> + +<p>"Come ahead then," invited Mr. DeVere. +"Better use the subway all you can. Even the +elevated will have trouble with all this sleet. +Good-bye," and he kissed them as he hurried out.</p> + +<p>The girls made short shrift of the housework, +and then left for the place where the moving +pictures were made.</p> + +<p>As I have described in the first book of this +series how moving pictures are taken, I will not +repeat it here, except to say that in a special camera, +made for the purpose, there is a long narrow +strip of celluloid film, of the same nature as in +the ordinary camera. The pictures are taken on +this strip, at the rate of sixteen a second. Later +this film is developed, and from that "negative" +a "positive" is made. This "positive" is then +run through a specially made projecting lantern +which magnifies the pictures for the screen.</p> + +<p>As Alice and Ruth got out at the floor where +most of the scenes were made they heard +laughter.</p> + +<p>"Something's going on," remarked the +younger girl.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And it doesn't sound like Mr. Sneed, our +cheerful 'grouch,' either," answered Ruth.</p> + +<p>As they went in they saw Carl Switzer, the +German comedian, climbing a high step-ladder +with a pail of paste in one hand, and a roll of +wall paper in the other. He was in a scene representing +a room, which he was to decorate.</p> + +<p>"Is diss der right vay to do it?" Mr. Switzer +asked, as he paused half way up the ladder, and +looked at Mr. Pertell.</p> + +<p>"That's it. Now you've got the idea," replied +the manager. "Begin over again, and Russ, I +guess you can begin to run the film now," for the +young moving picture operator was in readiness +with his camera.</p> + +<p>"You must tremble, and shake the ladder," +advised the manager, who was also, in this case, +the stage director. "You want to register fear, +you see, because you are an amateur paper +hanger."</p> + +<p>"Yah. Dot's right. I know so leedle about +der papering business alretty yet dot I could +write a big book on vot I don't know," confessed +Mr. Switzer.</p> + +<p>"All ready now—tremble and shake!" ordered +the manager.</p> + +<p>The comic film that was being made was a reproduction +of a scene often played in vaudeville<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +theaters, where an amateur paper hanger gets +into all sorts of ludicrous mishaps with a bucket +of paste, rolls of paper and the step ladder. It +was not very new, but had not been done for moving +pictures before.</p> + +<p>"Here I goes!" called Mr. Switzer. "I am +shaking!"</p> + +<p>"Good!" encouraged Mr. Pertell. "Now, +Mr. Bunn, you come in, as the owner of the house, +to see if the paper hanger is doing his work properly. +You find he is not, for he is going to put +the wrong sort of paper on the ceiling. Then you +try to show him yourself."</p> + +<p>"Do I wear my tall hat?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, of course, and I think Mr. Switzer, +you had better let——"</p> + +<p>But the directions were never completed, for at +that moment, in the excess of his zeal, Mr. +Switzer shook the step ladder to such good effect +that it toppled over and with him on it.</p> + +<p>Down he came on top of Wellington Bunn, in +all his dignity and the glory of the tall hat, and +paste flew all over, liberally spattering both actors.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>A QUEER ACCIDENT</h3> + + +<p>"Get that Russ! Every motion of it!" cried +the manager. "That will make it better than +when we rehearsed it. Spatter that paste all over +Mr. Bunn while you're at it, Mr. Switzer."</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop, I say! I protest. I will not +have it!"</p> + +<p>"Vell, you goin' to git it, all right!" cried the +German, and with the brush he liberally daubed +the Shakespearean actor with the white and sticky +stuff. All the other players were laughing at the +ridiculous scene.</p> + +<p>"More paste!" ordered Mr. Pertell. "More +paste there, Mr. Switzer. Don't be afraid of it, +Mr. Bunn! It's clean!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is awful—this is terrible!" groaned +the tragic actor. "My hat is ruined."</p> + +<p>And such did seem to be the case, for the shining +silk tile was filled with paste, the outside also +being well covered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Bunn tried to get away from the slapping +brush of Mr. Switzer, but the German was not to +be outwitted. The two had fallen to the floor +under the impact of the comic player, and were +now tangled up in the ladder.</p> + +<p>"That's good! That's good!" laughed Mr. +Pertell. "Get all of that, Russ! Every bit!"</p> + +<p>"I'm getting it!" cried the operator, as he continued +to grind away at the crank of the moving +picture camera.</p> + +<p>Again Mr. Bunn tried to get up and away, but +the ladder, through which his legs had slipped, +hampered him. Then a roll of the paper got under +the feet of both players. It unreeled, and some +paste got on it. The next instant part of it was +plastered over Mr. Switzer's face, and, being unable +to see, he pawed about <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'wildy'">wildly</ins>, spattering more +paste all over, much of it getting on Mr. Bunn.</p> + +<p>"Better than ever. Use some more of that +paper!" ordered the manager. "Paste some on +Mr. Switzer, if you can, Mr. Bunn."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can all right!" cried the older actor. +"Here is where I have my revenge!"</p> + +<p>He scooped up a hand full of paste, spread it on +a piece of paper, and clapped it over the face of +the German, for that player had removed the first +piece that was stuck on. And thus they capered +about in the scenic room, making a chaos of it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>Russ took all the pictures for the future amusement +of thousands who attended the darkened +theaters.</p> + +<p>Of course it was horseplay, pure and simple, +and yet audiences go into paroxysms of mirth over +much the same things. The love of slap-stick +comedy has not all died out, and the managers +realize this.</p> + +<p>"I don't know when I've laughed so much," +confessed Alice, holding her aching sides as she +sat down near Ruth, when the little comedy was +over.</p> + +<p>"Nor I, my dear. I think the old saying is +true, after all, that 'a little nonsense, now and +then, is relished by the best of men.'"</p> + +<p>"This was certainly nonsense," admitted +Alice. "Oh, come over and let's see Miss Pennington +and Miss Dixon in that new play—'Parlor +Magic.' It's very interesting, and rather funny."</p> + +<p>The two older actresses were to play in a little +scene where a young man—in this case Paul +Ardite—attempted to do some tricks he had been +studying. He was supposed to come to grief in +making an omelet in a silk hat, and have other +troubles when he tried to take rabbits out of parlor +vases, and such like nonsense.</p> + +<p>This was one of the trick films—that is, it +was not a straight piece of work. It depended<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +for its success on the manipulation of the camera, +on substituting dummies for real persons or animals +at certain points, the interposition of films +and many other things too technical to put +into a book that is only intended to amuse +you.</p> + +<p>"How are you?" asked Miss Pennington, as +Ruth and Alice came over to their side of the +studio. "You are looking quite well."</p> + +<p>"And we are well," answered Alice. "We +want to see you act," for the filming had not +yet begun.</p> + +<p>"For instruction or amusement?" asked Miss +Dixon, and her voice had something of a sneer +in it. She and her chum were not on the most +friendly terms with Ruth and Alice.</p> + +<p>"Both amusement and instruction," responded +Alice, sweetly—in a doubly sweet voice under +the circumstances. "One can learn from anyone, +you know," and she pretended to be interested +in one of the tricks Paul was practicing +while getting ready for the camera.</p> + +<p>Alice could say things with a double meaning +at times, and probably this was one of them.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" was all Miss Dixon said, and then she +called: "Paul, come here; won't you? I want you +to fasten my glove."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," he agreed, with a look at Alice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +which was meant to say: "I don't want to do +this, but I can't very well get out of it."</p> + +<p>Paul, I might add, had been quite interested +in Miss Dixon before the advent of Alice, and +the vaudeville actress rather resented the change. +She took advantage of every opportunity to +make Paul fetch and carry for her as he had been +wont to do.</p> + +<p>The parlor magic play was successfully filmed +and then, as Alice and Ruth had some shopping to +do, to get their costumes ready for their appearance +before the camera next day, they prepared +to leave. They stopped for a moment, however, +to watch their father in his play—"A Heart's +Cavalier." This was rather a pretentious drama, +and called for really good acting, the nature of +which appealed to the veteran player.</p> + +<p>It was really a delight to watch him, for he +gave a finished performance, and the loss of his +voice was no handicap here. He could whisper +the words, or utter them in a low tone, so that +the motion of his lips might be seen by the +audience.</p> + +<p>If you have ever seen motion pictures, and I +am sure you all have, you know that often you +can tell exactly what the characters are saying +by watching the form of their lips.</p> + +<p>Deaf persons, who have learned to know what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +other persons are saying, merely by watching +their lips, are able to "hear" much more than +can the ordinary individual what goes on in +moving pictures. In this they have a distinct +advantage.</p> + +<p>But of course the story the celluloid film tells +is mostly conveyed by the action of the characters, +and Mr. DeVere was an expert in this.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, Daddy," called Alice, when he +was out of the scene for a moment. "We'll be +back, and you can take us out to lunch."</p> + +<p>"All right," he laughed. "Make your poor +old daddy spend his hard-earned money, will +you?"</p> + +<p>"You know you're just crazy to do it," said +Ruth. "Come on Alice."</p> + +<p>The next day called for hard work for both +the moving picture girls, and there were a number +of outdoor scenes to do. They were glad of +this change, however.</p> + +<p>Some of the scenes Ruth and Alice had parts +in, as well as Paul Ardite, were filmed out in +Bronx Park, with the still natural wildness of +that beauty spot as background. One scene was +down near the beaver pond, and with the snow +on the ground, and the sleet still on the trees, the +pictures afterward turned out to be most effective. +Special permission had to be obtained to use the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +camera in the park, there being a rule against it.</p> + +<p>Alice had one part which called for feeding the +birds with crumbs scattered over the snow. And, +just when they wanted this not a bird—even a +sparrow—was in sight. In vain they went to +different parts of the park, looking for some, and +scattered many crumbs.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'll have to give it up, and come +back some other time," Russ said finally. "I don't +want to make another trip, either," he went on. +"It wastes so much time, and we're going to be +be very busy soon."</p> + +<p>"What about those new plans?" asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>"They are to be announced to-morrow, I believe," +was the answer. "A lot of snow dramas +are to be filmed."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Alice. "I love the snow."</p> + +<p>"Oh, quick! There are some birds!" called +Ruth. "See, over there, Alice. Scatter the +crumbs!"</p> + +<p>Russ had them in his pocket in readiness, and +soon the snow was covered. The birds did their +part well, and as Alice stood near them, throwing +crumbs to the hungry sparrows and starlings, +they fluttered about her, and flocked at her feet.</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Russ, who was busy with the +camera. "It couldn't be better. This will make +a fine film."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>Alice presented a pretty picture as she stood +there in her furs, scattering crumbs to the birds, +and the little feathered creatures proved the best +sort of actors, for they were not self-conscious, +and did not stop to peer at the camera, the +clicking of which they did not mind in the +least.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's done; now I think we'll go back," +Russ said, when he had ascertained, by looking +at the register on the side of the camera, that +enough feet of the film had been used on that +scene. For, in order to have each scene get its +proper amount of space, both as regards time +and length of film a strict watch is kept on how +much celluloid is used.</p> + +<p>A manager, or director, will decide on the importance +of the various scenes, and then divide up +the film, giving so many feet to each act.</p> + +<p>The standard length of film is a thousand +feet. It comes in thousand foot reels, but some +plays are so elaborate that two, three or even +seven reels have been given up to them. Great +scenic productions, such as "Quo Vadis?" use up +many thousand feet of film.</p> + +<p>Russ and the two girls, with Paul, started +back from the Bronx. They were to stop in at +the studio, but on reaching there the girls found +that their father had gone home, leaving a note<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +saying he was going to see the doctor about his +throat.</p> + +<p>"Poor daddy!" murmured Ruth. "He does +have such trouble!"</p> + +<p>"Has Merley bothered him again?" asked +Russ.</p> + +<p>"No, he has heard nothing from him," answered +Alice. "But daddy worries about it. +Five hundred <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'dollares'">dollars</ins> means more to him now +than five thousand may later. For I hope daddy +will get rich some day," she finished, with a +laugh.</p> + +<p>The three walked on together to the subway, +and got out at the station nearest their house. On +the way they had to cross one of the surface car +lines, and, just as they reached the corner, they +heard a shout of alarm or warning, evidently directed +at someone in danger from an approaching +electric car.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" cried Ruth, clinging to Alice.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered the younger girl. +"Oh, yes, there it is!" she cried, pointing.</p> + +<p>Three men were on the car tracks, and two of +them seemed to be trying to pull one away, out +of the path of an approaching car. The shouts +came from a number of pedestrians who had seen +the danger of the man.</p> + +<p>The latter seemed to be caught by the foot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +on the rail, though how this was possible was +difficult to understand, as the rail was flat.</p> + +<p>The motorman was doing his best to stop the +car, but the rails were slippery and it was easily +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'seem'">seen</ins> that he could not do it. Then he added his +shouts to those of the others.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he'll be killed!" cried Alice, covering +her face with her hands. Ruth had also turned +aside.</p> + +<p>"No, he won't!" cried Russ, with conviction. +"They'll get him off, I think. There! He's free! +I guess they took off his shoe."</p> + +<p>As he spoke the girls looked, and they saw +the man fall in a peculiar way, to one side, so +as to be out of the path of the car, which swept +past him. The vehicle, however, seemed to hit +him, but of this neither Russ nor the girls could +be sure.</p> + +<p>"That's a queer accident," murmured Russ, as +he started toward the scene of it. "Come on, +girls."</p> + +<p>Ruth and Alice went with him. There was +a little crowd about the fallen man, and at the +sight of the fellow's face Alice suddenly cried:</p> + +<p>"Look! That is Dan Merley!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>NEW PLANS</h3> + + +<p>Alice's announcement caused her sister to +start in surprise. Ruth looked as if she could +not understand, and Alice repeated:</p> + +<p>"See, the man who fell is Dan Merley—the +one who says daddy owes him five hundred dollars."</p> + +<p>"I believe you're right!" agreed Russ, who +had had a good look at the impudent fellow the +night he invaded the DeVere rooms. "And I +know one of those other men—at least by sight. +His name is Jagle. Let's see what is going on +here."</p> + +<p>Fortunately no very large crowd gathered, so +the girls felt it would be proper for them to remain, +particularly as the accident was not of a +distressing nature.</p> + +<p>The motorman had stopped his car and had +run back to the scene with the conductor.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter here? What did you want<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +to get in the way of the car for, anyhow?" demanded +the motorman. He was nervously excited, +and the reaction at finding, after all, he +had not killed a man, made him rather angry.</p> + +<p>"Matter? Matter enough, I should say!" replied +one of the men with Merley. "My friend +is badly hurt. Someone get an ambulance! Fripp, +you call one."</p> + +<p>"That was Jagle who spoke," Russ whispered +to the girls. "But I don't know the other one."</p> + +<p>"He doesn't seem to be badly hurt," remarked +the motorman. The conductor, with a little pad +and pencil, was getting the names of witnesses to +be used in case suit was brought. This is always +done by street car companies, in order to protect +themselves.</p> + +<p>"Hurt? Of course he's hurt!" exclaimed the +man Russ called Jagle. "See that cut on his +head!"</p> + +<p>There was a slight abrasion on Merley's forehead, +but it did not seem at all serious.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you hurt, Dan?" asked Jagle.</p> + +<p>"Of course I am!" was the answer. "I'm hurt +bad, too. Get me home, Jim."</p> + +<p>"If he's hurt the best place for him is a hospital," +remarked the motorman. "But I can't see +where he's hurt."</p> + +<p>"I can't walk, I tell you," whined Merley, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +he attempted to get up, but fell back. One of +his friends caught him in his arms.</p> + +<p>"There, you see! Of course he's hurt!" declared +Jagle. "Go call an ambulance, Fripp."</p> + +<p>"I'll get an ambulance if he really needs one," +spoke a policeman, who had just come up on +seeing the crowd. "Where are you hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Something's the matter with my legs," declared +Merley. "I can't use my right one, and +the left one is hurt, too. My foot got caught +between the rail and a piece of ice, and I couldn't +get loose. My friends tried to help me, but they +couldn't get me away in time. I'm hurt, and I'm +hurt bad, I tell you! I think one of my legs must +be run over."</p> + +<p>"Nothing like that!" declared the motorman. +"There's been no legs run over by my car!"</p> + +<p>That was very evident.</p> + +<p>"Get me away from here," groaned Merley.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you're really hurt I'll call an ambulance +and have you taken to the hospital," offered +the policeman as he went to turn in a call.</p> + +<p>"I sure am hurt," insisted Merley. "Why, I +can hardly move now," and he seemed to stiffen +all over, though there was no visible sign of injury.</p> + +<p>"Why doesn't someone get a doctor?" a boy +in the crowd asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There'll be one in de hurry-up wagon!" exclaimed +another urchin. "A feller in a white +suit—dem's doctors. I know, cause me fadder +was in de 'ospital onct."</p> + +<p>Merley's two friends carried him to a drug store +not far from the scene of the accident. Ruth +and Alice shrank back as he was borne past them, +for they feared he might recognize them, and +cause a scene. But if he saw them, which is +doubtful, he gave no sign.</p> + +<p>"Here comes de hurry-up wagon!" cried the +lad who had thus designated the ambulance. +"Let's see 'em shove him on de stretcher! Say +dis is great!"</p> + +<p>"I think we had better be going, Alice, dear," +said Ruth. "Daddy wouldn't like us to be in +this crowd."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I want to stay and see what happens. Besides, +it might be important," Alice objected. +"This is Dan Merley, who might make trouble +for papa. We ought to see what happens to him. +I think that whole accident was queer. He didn't +seem to be hit at all, and yet he says he can't +move. We ought to stay."</p> + +<p>"If you want to go, I'll stay and let you know +what happens," offered Russ. "I don't mind."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that would be best," said Ruth.</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Alice, and she and her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +sister, with a last look at the crowd around the +ambulance, started for their apartment.</p> + +<p>Russ came along a little later.</p> + +<p>"What happened?" asked Ruth, when he had +knocked on the door of their hall and had been +admitted.</p> + +<p>"Not much," he replied. "They took Merley +home, instead of to a hospital. He wouldn't go +to an institution, he said."</p> + +<p>"Did those other two men go with him?" +asked Alice.</p> + +<p>"Who, Fripp and Jagle? No, they wouldn't +be allowed to ride on the ambulance. But they +got a taxicab and went off in that. I heard Jagle +say to the ambulance surgeon, that he was a doctor, +and that he'd attend his friend when he got +him home."</p> + +<p>"Is Jagle a doctor?" asked Alice. "He didn't +look like one."</p> + +<p>"He's a <i>sort</i> of doctor," Russ replied. "I think +he's a quack, myself. I wouldn't have him for +a sick cat. But he calls himself a doctor and +surgeon. So that's all that happened."</p> + +<p>"It was enough, anyhow," remarked Ruth. "I +don't like to see anybody hurt."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure that fellow <i>was</i> hurt," said +Russ, slowly.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" Alice asked, curiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, he might have <i>imagined</i> he was. I +guess he was pretty well scared at seeing that +car come down on him. But I watched when +he was put in the ambulance and he seemed as +well as either of his friends. Only he kept insisting +that he could not walk."</p> + +<p>"It was certainly a queer accident," said Alice. +"But, in spite of the fact that he is a bad man, +and wants to make trouble for daddy, I hope he +isn't seriously hurt."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it is serious," said Russ. +"But it might easily have been, though, if he +had fallen in front of the car instead of away +from it."</p> + +<p>"Well, there is nothing that hasn't its good +side," remarked Ruth. "Emerson's idea of the +law of compensation works out very nicely in +this case."</p> + +<p>"Kindly translate, sister mine," invited Alice, +laughingly.</p> + +<p>"Why, you know Emerson holds that one advantage +makes up for each defect. In this case +Merley has had an accident—a defect. That may +cause him to stop annoying daddy—a distinct +advantage to us."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ruth, how queer you are!" exclaimed +Alice with a laugh. "I never heard of such an +idea."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who was this Emerson—a moving picture +fellow?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"No, he was a great writer," explained Ruth. +"I'll let you take one of his books."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would," said Russ, seriously. "I +never had much of a chance to get an education, +but I like to know things."</p> + +<p>"So do I," agreed Ruth. "I never tire of +Emerson."</p> + +<p>Mr. DeVere was surprised when he heard +about the accident to Merley.</p> + +<p>"I can't understand it," said the girls' father. +"He must have been hurt, and yet—er—was he +in a sensible condition, Russ?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, he seemed to be himself, all right," +the young moving picture operator replied, +thoughtfully. "I haven't gotten to the bottom +of it myself."</p> + +<p>And indeed it developed that there was a +strange plot back of the accident—a plot which +involved the moving picture girls in an amazing +way, as will soon appear.</p> + +<p>But puzzle over the odd accident as they might, +neither Mr. DeVere, his daughters, nor Russ +could understand what it involved.</p> + +<p>"At any rate, as you say, Ruth," the actor +remarked with a smile, "there is some compensation. +He may not annoy me for some time;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +and, meanwhile, I may think of a plan to prove +I really paid that money."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, Daddy!" she exclaimed. "Is +your throat any better?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, much," he replied with a smile. "Dr. +Rathby is going to try a new kind of spray treatment, +and I had the first one this afternoon. It +helped me wonderfully."</p> + +<p>"That's good!" exclaimed Alice.</p> + +<p>The next day's papers contained a slight reference +to the accident. It was not important +enough to warrant much space, and about all +that was said was that Merley claimed to have +received an injury that made him helpless, +though its nature was a puzzle to the physician +sent around by the street car company.</p> + +<p>"Well, if he's helpless, and the Lord knows +I wish that to no man," said Mr. DeVere, reverently, +"he will not come here bothering you girls +again. If he confines his attacks to me I do not +so much mind, but he must leave you alone."</p> + +<p>"That's what I say!" cried Russ.</p> + +<p>When Mr. DeVere and his daughters arrived +at the moving picture studio that afternoon, for +they were not to report until then, they found +notices posted, requesting all members of the +company to remain after rehearsal to hear an +"important announcement."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wonder what it can be?" said Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Probably it's about the new plans Mr. Pertell +has been working on," suggested Alice.</p> + +<p>"I think so," Russ said. He knew something +of them, but had not permission to reveal them.</p> + +<p>And this proved to be the case. After the +day's work was ended, and it included the filming +of several scenes for important dramas, Mr. +Pertell called his players together, and said:</p> + +<p>"Ladies and gentlemen—also Tommy and +Nellie, for you will be in on this, I hope—we +are going to leave New York City again, and be +together in a new place to make a series of +plays."</p> + +<p>"Leave New York!" gasped Miss Pennington.</p> + +<p>"I hope we don't go to Oak Farm again!" +cried Miss Dixon. "I want to be in some place +where I can get a lobster now and then."</p> + +<p>"There will be no lobsters at Deerfield!" said +Mr. Pertell, with a smile, "unless there are some +of the canned variety."</p> + +<p>"How horrid!" complained Miss Pennington.</p> + +<p>"Will there be deers there?" asked Tommy, +with big eyes.</p> + +<p>"I think there will, sonny," answered the +manager.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Reindeers—like Santa Claus has?" little +Nellie wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess so!" laughed Mr. Pertell. +"At any rate, I plan to take you all there."</p> + +<p>"Where is Deerfield, if one may ask?" inquired +Miss Dixon, pertly.</p> + +<p>"Deerfield is a sort of backwoods settlement, +in one of our New England States," explained +the manager. "It is rather isolated, but I want +to go there to get some scenes for moving pictures +with good snow, and ice effects as backgrounds."</p> + +<p>"Are there good hotels there?" Miss Pennington +demanded.</p> + +<p>"We are going to stop in a big hunting lodge, +that I have hired for the occasion," Mr. Pertell +replied. "I think you will like it very much."</p> + +<p>"Hold on! One moment!" exclaimed Mr. +Sneed, the grouchy actor. "You may count me +out of this! I shall go to no backwoods, in the +middle of winter, and freeze. I cannot stand the +cold. I shall resign at once!"</p> + +<p>"One moment. Before you decide that, I have +something else to say to you," said Mr. Pertell, +and there was a smile on his face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>OFF TO THE WOODS</h3> + + +<p>The moving picture players looked curiously +at the manager, and then at Mr. Sneed. They +were used to this action on his part, and also on +the part of Mr. Bunn—that of resigning when +anything did not suit them. But matters with +either of them seldom went farther than the mere +threat.</p> + +<p>"I know it will not be as pleasant, as regards +weather conditions, at Elk Lodge, Deerfield, as +it was at Oak Farm," said Mr. Pertell. "But +the lodge is a big building, very quaint and picturesque, +I have been told, and it has all the +comforts, and many of the conveniences, of life. +There are big, open fireplaces, and plenty of logs +to burn. So you will not freeze."</p> + +<p>"Open fires are always cold," complained Mr. +Sneed. "You roast on one side, and freeze on +the other."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think it won't be quite as bad as that,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>" +laughed the manager. "But that is not all I have +to say. In consideration of the fact that there +will be some inconveniences, in spite of all I can +do, I am willing to make an increase of ten per +cent. in the salaries of all of you, including +Tommy and Nellie," and he smiled at the two +children.</p> + +<p>"Oh, goodie! I'm going!" cried the small +lad.</p> + +<p>"So'm I," voiced his sister.</p> + +<p>There was a moment of silence, while all the +members of the company looked at Mr. Sneed, +who had raised the first contention. He seemed +to think that it was necessary for him to say +something.</p> + +<p>"Ah—ahem!" he began.</p> + +<p>"Yes?" spoke Mr. Pertell, questioningly.</p> + +<p>"In view of all the facts, and er—that I would +have to give two weeks' notice, and under all the +circumstances, I think—er—I will withdraw my +resignation, if you will allow me," the grouchy +actor went on, in a lofty manner.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" laughed Mr. Pertell. "Then we will +consider it settled, and you may all begin to pack +up for Elk Lodge as soon as you please."</p> + +<p>"When are we to leave?" asked Mr. DeVere.</p> + +<p>"In a few days now. I have one more play +I want to stage in New York, and then we will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +leave for the country where we can study snow +and ice effects to better advantage than here. We +want to get out into the open. Russ, I must have +a talk with you about films. I think, in view of +the fact that the lights out in the open, reflected +by the snow, will be very intense and high, a little +change in the film and the stop of the camera +will be necessary."</p> + +<p>"I think so myself," agreed the young moving +picture operator. "In fact, I have been working +on a little device that I can attach to our cameras +to cut down the amount of light automatically. +It consists of a selenium plate with a battery attachment——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, spare us the dreadful details!" interrupted +Miss Pennington, who was of a rather +frivolous nature.</p> + +<p>"Well, there is no longer need of detaining +you," spoke Mr. Pertell. "Work for the day is +over. We will meet again to-morrow and film +'A Mother's Sorrow,' and that will be the last +New York play for some time. I presume it will +take a week to get ready to go to Deerfield, as +there are many details to look after."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I just can't wait until it's time to go to +the backwoods!" cried Alice, as she and Ruth +were on their way home that evening. "Aren't +you crazy about it, sister mine?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, not exactly <i>crazy</i>, Alice. You do use +such—er—such strong expressions!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I have strong feelings, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"I know, but you must be more—more conservative."</p> + +<p>"I know you were going to say 'lady-like,' +but you didn't dare," laughed Alice.</p> + +<p>"Well, consider it said, my dear," went on +Ruth, in all seriousness, for she felt that she +must, in a measure, play the part of a mother +to her younger sister.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to consider anything!" laughed +Alice, "except the glorious fun we are going to +have. Oh, Ruth, even the prospect of that dreadful +Dan Merley making daddy pay the debt over +again can't dampen my spirits now. I'm so +happy!"</p> + +<p>She threw her arms about Ruth and attempted +a few turns of the one-step glide.</p> + +<p>"Oh, stop! I'm slipping!" cried Ruth, for +the sidewalk was icy. "Alice, let me go!"</p> + +<p>"Not until you take a few more steps! Now +dip!"</p> + +<p>"But, Alice! I'm going to fall! I know I +am! There! I told you——"</p> + +<p>But Ruth did not get a chance to use the favorite +expression of Mr. Sneed, if such was her +intention. For she really was about to fall when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +a young man, who was passing, caught her, and +saved her from a tumble.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" she gasped, in confusion, as she recovered +her balance.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," laughed the young fellow, +with sparkling eyes.</p> + +<p>"I should beg yours!" faltered Ruth, with a +blush.</p> + +<p>"It was all my fault—I wanted her to dance!" +cried Alice, willing to accept her share of the +blame.</p> + +<p>"Yes, this weather makes one feel like dancing," +the young fellow agreed, and then with a +bow he passed on.</p> + +<p>"Alice how could you?" cried Ruth.</p> + +<p>"How could I what?"</p> + +<p>"Make me do that."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to. Really, he was nice; +wasn't he? And say, did you notice his +eyes?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alice, you are hopeless!" and Ruth had +to laugh.</p> + +<p>The two moving picture girls reached home +without further mishap, if mishap that could be +called, though all the way Alice insisted on +waltzing about happily, and trying in vain to +get Ruth to join in, and try the new steps. +Passersby more than once turned to look at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +two pretty girls, who made a most attractive +picture.</p> + +<p>The drama next day was successfully filmed +and then followed a sort of week's vacation, +while the picture players prepared for the trip +to the woods.</p> + +<p>They were to go by train to Hampton Junction, +the nearest station to Deerfield. This last +was only a small settlement once the center of +an important lumber industry, but now turned +into a hunting preserve, owned by a number of +rich men. As the Lodge was not in use this +season, Mr. Pertell had engaged it for his company.</p> + +<p>In due time the baggage was all packed, the +various "properties" had been shipped by Pop +Snooks and everything was ready for the trip. +The journey from the railroad station at Hampton +Junction to Elk Lodge, in Deerfield, was to +be made in big four-horse sleds, several of them +having been engaged, for it was reported that +the snow was deep in the woods. Winter had +set in with all its severity there.</p> + +<p>Finally all the members of the company were +gathered at the Grand Central Terminal, New +York. The players attracted considerable attention, +for there was that air of the theater about +them which always seems so fascinating to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +outsider, who knows so little of the really hard +work that goes on behind the footlights. Most +of the glitter is in front, in spite of appearances.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's like setting off for Oak Farm!" +remarked Alice, as she stood beside her sister, +Paul and Russ.</p> + +<p>"Only there isn't any mystery in prospect," +spoke Paul. "I wonder how the Apgars are getting +on, now that their farm is safe?"</p> + +<p>"They're probably sitting about a warm fire, +talking about it," Russ said.</p> + +<p>"There may be just as much of a mystery in +the backwoods as there was at Oak Farm, if we +can only come across it," suggested Alice. "I +wish we could discover something queer."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alice!" protested Ruth.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sneed was observed to be walking about, +peering at the various sign boards on which the +destination of trains was given.</p> + +<p>"What are you looking for?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"I want to see that we don't start out on track +thirteen as we did when we went to Oak Farm, +and had the wreck," the actor answered. "I've +had enough of hoodoos."</p> + +<p>"You're all right this time—we leave from +track twenty-seven," called Mr. Pertell. "All +aboard for Deerfield and Elk Lodge!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>A BREAKDOWN</h3> + + +<p>There was snow everywhere. Never could +Ruth, Alice, and the other members of the Comet +Film Company remember so much at one time. +They seemed to have entered the Polar regions.</p> + +<p>Along the tracks of the railroad the white +flakes were piled in deep drifts, and when they +swept out from a patch of woodland, and had a +view across the fields, or down into some valley, +they could see a long, unbroken stretch of white.</p> + +<p>"It sure is some snow," observed Russ, who +sat in the seat with Ruth, while Paul had pre-empted +a place beside Alice. This last in spite +of the fact that Miss Dixon invitingly had a +seat ready for the young actor beside herself. +But she was forced to be content with a novel +for companionship.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we're going to get more snow," +remarked Mr. Sneed, who sat behind Russ. +"We'll get so much that the train will be de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>layed, +and we'll have to stay on it all night; that's +what will happen."</p> + +<p>"Und ve vill starf den; ain't dot so?" inquired +Mr. Switzer, with a jolly laugh from +across the aisle. "Ve vill starf alretty; vill ve +not, mine gloomy friendt?"</p> + +<p>"We sure will," predicted the grouch of the +company. "They took the dining car off at the +last station, and I understand there isn't another +one to be had until we get to Hampton Junction. +We sure will starve!"</p> + +<p>"Ha! Dot is vot ve vill <i>not</i> do!" laughed +Mr. Switzer, with conviction. "See, I haf alretty +t'ought of dot, und I haf provided. Here +are pretzels!" and he produced a large bag of +them from his grip. "Ve vill not starf!"</p> + +<p>"Ha! Pretzels!" scoffed Mr. Sneed. "I +never eat them!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe you vill before you starf!" chuckled +Mr. Switzer, as he replaced them. "I like dem +much!"</p> + +<p>The other members of the company laughed—all +but Mr. Sneed and Wellington Bunn. The +former went forward to consult a brakeman as +to the prospects of the train becoming snowbound, +while Mr. Bunn, who wore his tall hat, +and was bundled up in a fur coat, huddled close +to the window, and doubtless dreamed of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +days when he had played Shakespearean rôles; +and wondered if he would play them again.</p> + +<p>The train went on, not that any great speed +was attained, for the grade was up hill, and there +had been heavy storms. There was also the prospect +of more snow, and this, amid the rugged +hills of New England, was not reassuring.</p> + +<p>"But we expect hard weather up here," said +Mr. Pertell to his company. "The more snow +and ice we have, the better pictures we can get."</p> + +<p>"That's right!" agreed Russ.</p> + +<p>"Humph! I'm beginning to wish I hadn't +come," growled Mr. Sneed, who had received +information from a brakeman to the effect that +trains were often snowbound in that part of the +State.</p> + +<p>A few feathery flakes began falling now, and +there was the promise of more in the clouds +overhead, and in the sighing of the North wind.</p> + +<p>"Does your throat hurt you much, Daddy?" +asked Ruth, as she noticed her father wrapping +a silk handkerchief closer about his neck.</p> + +<p>"Just a little; I think it is the unusual cold," +he replied. "But I do not mind it. The air is +sharper here than in New York; but it is drier. +Perhaps it may do me good. I think I will use +my spray," and he got out his atomizer.</p> + +<p>There were not many passengers beside the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +members of the film theatrical company in the +car in which Ruth and her sister rode. Among +them, however, were two young ladies, about the +age of Alice, and as Ruth went down the aisle +once, to get a drink of water, she noted that one +of the strangers appeared to be ill.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," spoke Ruth, with ready sympathy, +"but can I do anything to help you?"</p> + +<p>"She has a bad headache," replied the other. +"My sister always gets one when she travels. +Fortunately we have not much farther to go."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Helen, I shall be so glad when we get +there," said the suffering one.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Mabel, we will soon be there," +soothed the other.</p> + +<p>"If you don't mind—I'd like to give you my +smelling salts," offered Ruth. "They always +help me when I have a headache, which is seldom, +I'm glad to say."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could say that," murmured the afflicted +one.</p> + +<p>"Suppose you let me give the bottle to you," +suggested Ruth. "I'll have my sister bring some +spirits of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'colonge'">cologne</ins>, too. Then you can bathe your +head."</p> + +<p>"You are very kind," responded the other.</p> + +<p>Soon the four girls were in the ladies' compartment +of the parlor car in which the picture<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +company was traveling. There was a lounge +there, and on this the girl called Mabel was soon +receiving the ministrations of the others.</p> + +<p>Her head was bathed in the fragrant cologne, +and the use of the smelling salts relieved the +slight feeling of indisposition that accompanied +the headache.</p> + +<p>"I feel so much better now," she declared, +after a little. "I—I think I could sleep."</p> + +<p>"That would be the best thing for you, my +dear," said Ruth, as she smoothed her hair. +"Come," she whispered to the others, "we will +sit back here and let her rest," and she motioned +them to come into the curtained-off recess of the +compartment.</p> + +<p>There the other girl said that she and her +sister were on their way to visit relatives over +the holidays. They were Mabel and Helen Madison, +of New York.</p> + +<p>"And right after Christmas we're going to +Florida," Helen confided to Ruth and Alice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it must be lovely there, under the +palms!" exclaimed the latter. "I do so want to +go."</p> + +<p>"It is quite a contrast to this, I should imagine," +remarked Ruth, as she gazed out of the +window on the snowy scene.</p> + +<p>"Does your company ever get as far as Flor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>ida?" +asked Helen, for Ruth and Alice had told +her their profession.</p> + +<p>"We haven't yet," replied Ruth, "though +once, when we were small, daddy played in St. +Augustine, and we were there. But I don't remember +anything about it."</p> + +<p>"We are going to a little resort on Lake Kissimmee," +said Helen Madison. "Perhaps we +may see you there, if you ever make pictures in +Florida."</p> + +<p>"I hardly think we are going that far," observed +Ruth. "But if we do we shall look for +you."</p> + +<p>Ruth little realized then how prophetic her +words were, nor how she and Alice would actually +"look" for the two girls.</p> + +<p>A little later Mabel awakened from a doze, +and announced that her head felt much better. +Then, as it would soon be time for her and her +sister to get off, for they were nearing their destination, +they went back to their seats to get their +luggage in readiness.</p> + +<p>"I like them; don't you?" asked Alice, as she +and Ruth rejoined their friends.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I do! They seem very sweet girls. +I would like to meet them again."</p> + +<p>"So would I. Perhaps we shall. It would +be lovely if we could go to Florida, after our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +winter work is over. I'm going to ask Mr. Pertell +if there's any likelihood of our doing so."</p> + +<p>But Alice did not get the opportunity just +then, as she and Ruth went to the door to bid +their new girl acquaintances good-bye. Then +came the announcement that in a short time +Hampton Junction would be reached.</p> + +<p>"Better be getting your possessions together," +advised Mr. Pertell to his company. "It is getting +late and I don't want to have you travel too +much after dark."</p> + +<p>The train came to a stop at Hampton Junction, +and from the car emerged the picture players. +Ranged alongside the small building that +served as the depot were several large sleighs, +known in that country as "pungs," the bodies +being filled with clean straw. There were four +horses to each, and the jingle of their bells made +music on the wintry air.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we're going to have a regular straw +ride!" cried Alice, clapping her hands at the +sight of the comfortable-looking sleighs. "Isn't +this jolly, Ruth?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure it will be, yes. Come now, have +you everything?"</p> + +<p>"Everything, and more too!"</p> + +<p>"Daddy, are you all right?" went on Ruth, +for she had gotten into the habit, of late, of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +looking after her father, who seemed to lean +on her more and more as she grew older.</p> + +<p>"Everything, daughter," he replied. "And +my throat feels much better. I think the cold +air is doing it good."</p> + +<p>"That's fine!" she laughed, happily. "Now +I wonder which of these sleighs is ours?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you in a minute," said Mr. Pertell. +"I want to see the lodge-keeper. Oh, there he +is! Hello, Jake Macksey!" he called to the +sturdy man, in big boots, who was stalking about +among the sleds, "is everything all right for +us?"</p> + +<p>"Everything, Mr. Pertell," was the hearty answer. +"We'll have you out to Elk Lodge in a +jiffy. My wife has got a lot of stuff cooked up, +for she thought you'd be hungry."</p> + +<p>"Indeed we are!" grumbled Mr. Sneed.</p> + +<p>"But if dere iss stuff cooked I can safe mine +pretzels!" chuckled Mr. Switzer.</p> + +<p>The baggage was stowed in one sled, and in +the others the members of the picture company +distributed themselves.</p> + +<p>"All right?" asked Jake Macksey, who was +a veteran guide and hunter, and in charge of Elk +Lodge.</p> + +<p>"All ready!" answered Mr. Pertell.</p> + +<p>"Drive lively now, boys!" called the hunter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +"It's getting late, and will soon be dark, and +the roads aren't any too good."</p> + +<p>"Oh my!" groaned Mr. Sneed. "I'm sure +something will happen!"</p> + +<p>With cracks of the whips, and a jingling of +sleighbells, the little cavalcade started off. The +gloom settled slowly down, but Ruth and Alice +helped dispel it by singing lively songs. Over +the snow-covered road they went, now on a comparatively +level place, and again down into some +hollow where the drifts were deep. The horses +pulled nobly.</p> + +<p>They came to a narrow place in the road, +where the snow was piled high on either side. +There was room for but one sled at a time.</p> + +<p>"I hope we don't meet anyone here," said Mr. +Macksey. "If they do we'll have a hard job +passing. G'lang there!" he called to his horses.</p> + +<p>They were half-way through the snow defile, +when the leading sleigh, in which rode Ruth and +Alice, swerved to one side. There was a crashing +sound, a splintering of wood, and the two +forward horses went down in a heap.</p> + +<p>"Whoa! Whoa!" called Mr. Macksey, as he +reined in the others.</p> + +<p>"What's happened?" asked Mr. DeVere.</p> + +<p>"Some sort of a breakdown," answered the +hunter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Serious?" the actor wanted to know, trying +to peer ahead in the gloom.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell yet," was the answer. "Here, +can someone hold the reins while I get out?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"I will," offered Russ, and he held the rear +team. The horses who had fallen had struggled +to their feet and were quiet now. But the front +part of the sled seemed to have sagged into the +snow.</p> + +<p>"I thought so!" exclaimed Mr. Macksey, as +he got up after peering under the vehicle. "No +going on like this."</p> + +<p>"What happened?" asked Alice.</p> + +<p>"One of the forward runners has broken. +There must have been a defect in it I didn't +notice."</p> + +<p>"Can't we go on?" asked Mr. Sneed.</p> + +<p>"Not very well," was the answer. "We've +broken down, and unfortunately we're the leading +sleigh. I don't know how to get the others +past it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I knew something would happen," +sighed the human grouch. And he seemed quite +gratified that his prediction had been verified.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE BLIZZARD</h3> + + +<p>The two other sleds had, as a matter of necessity, +come to a halt behind the first one. The +defile in the snow was so narrow that there could +be no passing. Those who had broken the road +through the drifts had not been wise enough to +make a wide path, and now the consequences +must be taken.</p> + +<p>In fact it would have been a little difficult to +make at this point a path wide enough for two +sleighs. The road went between two rocky walls, +and though in the summer, when there was no +snow, two vehicles could squeeze past, in the +winter the piling up of the snow on either side +made an almost impassable barrier.</p> + +<p>To turn out to right or left was out of the +question, for the snow was so deep that the +horses would have floundered helplessly in it.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's to be done?" asked Mr. De<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>Vere, +as he buttoned his coat collar up around his +neck, and looked at his two daughters.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you all to get +out," said Mr. Macksey. "I want to get a better +look at that broken runner, and see if it's possible +to mend it. Bring up a lantern," he called +to one of the drivers of the other sleds. "We'll +soon need it."</p> + +<p>The moving picture players in the broken-down +sled piled out into the snow. Fortunately +they had come prepared for rough weather, and +wore stout shoes. Ruth and Alice, as well as +Russ and Paul, laughed at the plight, and Mr. +Switzer, with a chuckle, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Ha! Maybe mine pretzels vill come in useful +after all!"</p> + +<p>"That's no joke—maybe they will," observed +Mr. Sneed, gloomily. "We may have to stay +here all night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we could walk to Elk Lodge if we had +to," put in Mr. Macksey, as he took the lantern +which the other driver brought up.</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't be very pleasant," replied Mr. +Sneed, "with darkness soon to be here, and a +storm coming up."</p> + +<p>"You're right about the storm, I'm afraid," +answered the veteran hunter. "I don't like the +looks of the weather a bit. And it sure will be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +dark soon. But we'll have a look at this sled," +he went on. "Give me a hand here, Tom and +Dick," he called to the other drivers, who had +left their teams.</p> + +<p>They managed to prop up the sled, so a better +view could be had of the forward runner. Then +the extent of the damage was made plain. One +whole side had given way, and was useless. It +could not even be patched up.</p> + +<p>"Too bad!" declared the hunter. "Now, if +it had only been the rear sled it wouldn't worry +me so.</p> + +<p>"For then we could pile the stuff from the +back sled into the others, and go on, even if we +were a bit crowded. But with the front sled +blocking this narrow road, I don't see how we +are to go on."</p> + +<p>"If we could only jump the two rear sleds +over this broken one, it would be all right," said +Alice. "It's like one of those moving block +puzzles, where you try to get the squares in +a certain order without lifting any of them +out."</p> + +<p>"That's it," agreed Mr. Macksey. "But it's +no easy matter to jump two big sleds, and eight +horses, over another sled and four horses. I've +played checkers, but never like that," he added.</p> + +<p>"But we must do something," insisted Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +Pertell. "I can't have my company out like +this all night. We must get on to Elk Lodge, +somehow."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't see how you're going to do it," +responded the hunter. "You could walk, of +course; but you couldn't take your baggage, and +you wouldn't like that."</p> + +<p>"Walk? Never! I protest against that!" exclaimed +Mr. Bunn.</p> + +<p>"'He doth protest too much!'" quoted Paul, +in a low voice. "Come on, Ruth—Alice—shall +we walk?"</p> + +<p>"I'd like to do it—I'm getting cold standing +here," cried Alice, stamping her feet on the edge +of the road. "Will you, Ruth?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we'd better not—at least until we +talk to daddy, my dear," was the low-voiced answer. +"Perhaps they can get the sled fixed."</p> + +<p>But it did not seem so, for Mr. Macksey, with +a puzzled look on his face, was talking earnestly +to the two drivers. The accident had happened +at a most unfortunate time and place.</p> + +<p>"We can't even turn around and go back a +different road, the way it is," said the hunter. +"There isn't room to turn, and everybody knows +you can't back a pung very far before getting +stuck."</p> + +<p>"Then what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + +<p>The hunter did not answer for a minute. Then +he said:</p> + +<p>"Well, we've got twelve horses here, and I +can manage to squeeze the two rear teams past +the stalled sled. Then if you'd like to take +chances riding them to Elk Lodge——"</p> + +<p>"Never!" cried Mr. Bunn, with lively recollections +of a time he had ridden a mule at Oak +Farm. "I shall stay here forever, first!"</p> + +<p>"Well, if you don't want to do that," said +Mr. Macksey, and to tell the truth few members +of the company seemed in favor of the idea, "if +you don't want to do that I might ride on ahead +and get a spare sleigh I have at the Lodge. I +could get back here before very late, and we'd +get home sooner or later."</p> + +<p>"And we would have to stay here?" asked +Mr. DeVere.</p> + +<p>"I see no help for it. There are plenty of +blankets in the sleds, and you can huddle down +in the straw and keep warm. I'll get back as +soon as I can."</p> + +<p>There really seemed nothing else to do, and, +after talking it over, this plan was practically +decided on. But something happened to change +it. The wind had been rising constantly, and the +snow was ever falling thicker and faster. The +players could see only a little way ahead now +from the place where they were stalled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This would make a good film, if you could +get it," remarked Paul to Russ.</p> + +<p>"Too dark," replied the camera operator. +"Do you know, I don't like this," he went on +in a low voice to the young actor.</p> + +<p>"You don't like what?" Paul wanted to +know.</p> + +<p>"The way this weather is acting. I think +there's going to be a big storm, and here we +are, stalled out in the open. It will be hard +for the girls and the women, to say nothing of +Tommy and Nellie."</p> + +<p>"That's what it will, Russ; but what can be +done?"</p> + +<p>As he spoke there came a sudden fierce rush +of wind and a flurry of snow. It took the +breaths of all, and instinctively they turned from +it, for the snow stung their faces. The horses, +too, disliked to face the stinging blast, and shifted +their places.</p> + +<p>"Get behind such shelter as you can!" cried +Mr. Macksey, above the roar of the storm. "This +is a genuine blizzard and it's death to be unprotected. +Get into the sleds, and cover up with +the blankets. I'll have to go for help!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>AT ELK LODGE</h3> + + +<p>The warning by Mr. Macksey, no less than +the sudden blast of the storm, struck terror to +the hearts of not only the moving picture girls, +but to all the other players. For it was something +to which they were not used—that terrible +sweep of wind and blinding snow.</p> + +<p>There had been heavy storms in New York, +but there the big buildings cut off the force of +the wind, except perhaps in some street canyon. +But in the backwoods, on this stretch of open +fields, there was no protection except that furnished +by nature; or, in this case, by the sleds.</p> + +<p>For a moment after the veteran hunter had +called his warning no one moved. They all +seemed paralyzed by fear. Then Mr. Macksey +called again:</p> + +<p>"Into shelter, every one of you! What do +you mean; standing there in this storm? Get +under the blankets—crouch down at the side of +the sleds. I'll go for help."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But you—you'll freeze to death—I can't +permit you to go!" protested Mr. Pertell, yelling +the words into the other's ear, to make himself +heard above the storm.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm used to this sort of thing!" the +hunter replied. "I know a short cut to the lodge, +and I can protect myself against the wind. I'll +go."</p> + +<p>"I don't like it!" repeated Mr. Pertell, while +Mr. Macksey was forcing him back toward the +protecting sled.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the others, now, if never before, +feeling the need of shelter, were struggling +through the blinding snow toward the broken sled, +from which they had wandered a short time before +while listening to the attempts made at solving +the problem of getting on.</p> + +<p>"Isn't this awful!" gasped Ruth, as she clung +to Alice.</p> + +<p>"Awful? It's just glorious!" cried the +young girl. "I wouldn't have missed it for +worlds."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alice, how can you say so? We may +all die in this terrible storm!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to think anything of the +kind!" returned the other. "We'll get out of it, +somehow, and laugh at ourselves afterward for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +being so silly as to be afraid. Oh, this is +great!"</p> + +<p>She was really glorying in the fierce outburst +of nature. Perhaps she did not understand, or +appreciate, it, for she had never seen anything +like it before, and in this case ignorance might +have been akin to bliss.</p> + +<p>But the others, especially the drivers of the +two sleds, with anxious looks on their cold faces, +were trying to seek the shelter they so much +needed, and also look to the restless horses. For +the animals were now almost frantic with their +desire to get away from that cutting wind and +stinging snow.</p> + +<p>"Unhitch 'em all!" roared Mr. Macksey to +his men. "Take the horses from the sleds and +get 'em back of as much shelter as you can find. +Otherwise they may bolt and upset something. +I'll take old Bald-face, and see if I can't get some +kind of help."</p> + +<p>Though what sort of aid he could bring to +the picture actors in this time of storm and stress +he hardly knew. But he was not going to give +up without trying.</p> + +<p>Ruth and Alice were trying to struggle back +through the snow to their sled, and not making +very successful work of it, when they felt arms<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +at their sides helping them, and Russ and Paul +came along.</p> + +<p>"Fierce; isn't it!" cried Russ in Ruth's ear.</p> + +<p>"Awful, and yet this sister of mine pretends +that she likes it."</p> + +<p>"I do!" declared Alice. "It's glorious. I +can't really believe it's a blizzard."</p> + +<p>"It's the beginning of one, though," Paul assured +her. "I hear the drivers saying so. Their +blizzards up here start in with a squall like this, +and soon develop into a bad storm. This isn't +at its worst yet."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope I see the worst of it!" said +Alice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how can you so tempt fate?" asked +Ruth, seriously.</p> + +<p>"I'm not tempting fate, but I mean I do like +to see a great storm—that is, if I'm protected, as +I am now," and Alice laughed through the whirling +snow into Paul's face, for he had wrapped +a fold of his big ulster about her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" sighed Ruth.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Russ, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I'm so worried."</p> + +<p>"Don't be—yet," he said, reassuringly.</p> + +<p>"But we may be snowed in here for a week!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind—Mr. Switzer still has his pretzels, +I believe."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>She could not help laughing, in spite of their +distress.</p> + +<p>"Oh, poor daddy!" cried Alice, as she reached +the sled, and Paul prepared to help her in, "he +is trying to protect his poor throat." Mr. DeVere +wore a heavy coat, the collar of which he +had turned up, but even this seemed little protection, +and he was now tying a silk handkerchief +about his collar.</p> + +<p>"I have the very thing for him!" cried Paul, +taking off a muffler he wore.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you'll need that!" protested Alice, +quickly.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it—I'm as warm as toast," he +answered. "Here you are, sir!" he called to +Mr. DeVere, and when the latter, after a weak +resistance, had accepted it (for he was really suffering +from the cold), Alice thanked Paul with +a look that more than repaid him for his knightly +self-sacrifice.</p> + +<p>The players were by now in the sled, which, +in its damaged condition, had been let down as +nearly level as possible. The blankets were pulled +up over the side, and Mr. Macksey was preparing +to unhitch one of the horses, and set off for help. +Then one of the drivers gave a sudden cry, and +came running up to his employer.</p> + +<p>"Look!" he shouted. "The wind's shifted.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +It's blowing right across the top of this cut now. +We'll be protected down here!"</p> + +<p>This was indeed true. At the beginning of +the squall, which was working up to a blizzard, +the wind had swept up the canyon-like defile between +the hills of earth and snow. But now the +direction of the gale had shifted and was sweeping +across the top of the depression. Thus those +at the bottom were, in a measure, protected from +the blast.</p> + +<p>"By hickory!" exclaimed Mr. Macksey, +"that's right. The wind has changed. Folks, +you'll be all right for a while down here, until +I can get help."</p> + +<p>"Must you go?" asked Ruth, for now they +could talk with more ease. Indeed, so fiercely +was the snow sweeping across the top of +the gulch that little of it fell into the depression.</p> + +<p>"Oh, sure, I've got to get help," the hunter +said. "You folks can't stay here all night, even +if the wind continues to blow across the top, +which makes it much better."</p> + +<p>"Indeed and I will not stay here all night!" +protested Mr. Bunn. "I most strenuously object +to it."</p> + +<p>"And so do I!" growled Mr. Sneed. "There +is no need of it. I might have known something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +unpleasant would happen. I had a feeling in my +bones that it would."</p> + +<p>"Well, you'll have a freezing feeling in your +bones if I don't get help," observed Mr. Macksey, +grimly.</p> + +<p>"And I am hungry, too," went on Mr. Sneed. +"Why was not food brought with us in anticipation +of this emergency?"</p> + +<p>"Haf a pretzel!" offered Mr. Switzer, holding +one out.</p> + +<p>"Away with the vile thing!" snapped Mr. +Sneed.</p> + +<p>Mr. Macksey was about to leap on the back +of the horse and start off, when the same driver +who had noticed the change in the wind called +out:</p> + +<p>"I say, Mr. Macksey, I have a plan."</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe you won't have to go for help, after +all. Why can't we take the forward bob from +under the rear sled and put it in place of the broken +one on the first sled? We can easily pass the +bob by the second sled even if the place is +narrow."</p> + +<p>"By hickory! Why didn't you think of that +before?" demanded the hunter. "Of course we +can do it! Lively now, and we'll make the +change. Got to be quick, or it'll be pitch dark."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + +<p>It would have been very dark long ago had it +not been for the snow, which gave a sort of reflected +light.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Mr. Macksey. "We'll +make the change. I guess I'll have to ask you +folks to get out again," he said to the players in +the first sled. "But it won't be for long. We'll +have a good runner in place of the broken one, +and then we can pile into two sleds and get into +Elk Lodge. We'll leave the last sled until to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"But what about our baggage?" asked Miss +Pennington. "That is in the rear sled. Can we +take that with us?"</p> + +<p>"Not all of it," answered the hunter, "but you +can crowd in as much as possible. The rest can +wait."</p> + +<p>"I want <i>all</i> of mine," declared the former +vaudeville actress.</p> + +<p>"So do I!" cried Miss Dixon.</p> + +<p>"You'll be lucky if you get in out of this +storm," said Mr. Pertell reprovingly, "to say +nothing about baggage. Do the best you can, Mr. +Macksey."</p> + +<p>"I will. Come now, men, lively!"</p> + +<p>It took some little time to make the change, but +finally the work was done.</p> + +<p>The broken runner was cast aside, and there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +were now two good sleds, one ahead of the other +in the snowy defile. As much of the needed baggage +as possible was transferred, and the four +horses that had been on the rear sled were brought +up and hitched to the remaining sleds—two to +each so that each conveyance now had six animals +attached to it.</p> + +<p>"And by hickory!" exclaimed Mr. Macksey, +that appearing to be his favorite expression, "By +hickory, we'll need 'em all!"</p> + +<p>They were now ready to set forth, and all rather +dreaded going out into the open again, for the +defile offered a good shelter from the storm. But +it had to be done, for it was out of the question +to stay there all night.</p> + +<p>"Go 'long!" called the hunter, as he shook the +long reins of his six horses, and cracked the whip +with a report like a pistol. But the lash did not +fall on the backs of the ready animals. Mr. Macksey +never beat his horses—they were willing +enough without that.</p> + +<p>Lanterns had been lighted and hung on the +sleds, to shed their warning rays through the +storm. They now gleamed fitfully through the +fast-falling snow.</p> + +<p>"Are you feeling better now, Daddy?" asked +Ruth of her father, as she glanced anxiously at +him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Much better, yes. I am afraid I ought to give +you back your muffler, Paul," he added.</p> + +<p>"No indeed—please keep it," begged the young +actor.</p> + +<p>Alice reached beneath the blanket and pressed +his hand in appreciation.</p> + +<p>"Thanks," he laughed.</p> + +<p>"It is I who thank you," she returned, softly.</p> + +<p>They were now out in the open road, and the +fury of the blast struck them with all its cruel +force.</p> + +<p>"Keep covered up!" shouted Mr. Macksey, +through the visor of his cap, which was pulled +down over his face. "We'll be there pretty +soon."</p> + +<p>On through the drifts plunged the straining +horses. It was all six of them could do, pull as +they might, to make their way. How cruelly the +wind cut, and how the snow flakes stung! Soft +as they really were, the wind gave them the feeling +of pieces of sand and stone.</p> + +<p>On through the storm went the delayed party. +And then, when each one, in spite of his or her +fortitude, was almost giving up in despair at the +cold and the anxiety Mr. Macksey shouted out;</p> + +<p>"Whoa! Here we are! All out for Elk +Lodge!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THROUGH THE ICE</h3> + + +<p>Warming, comforting beams of light shone +from a large, low building set back from the road +in a little clearing of the woods. It was too dark +to see more than this—that the structure offered +shelter, warmth and light. Yes, and something +else, for there was borne on the wings of the wind +the most delicious odor—the odor of supper.</p> + +<p>"Pile out, folks! Pile out!" cried the genial +old hunter. "Here we are! At Elk Lodge! No +more storm! No more cold! Get inside to the +blaze. I reckon mother's about given us up; but +we're here, and we won't do a thing to her cooking! +Pile out!"</p> + +<p>It was an invitation that needed no repetition. +It was greeted with a merry shout, even Mr. +Sneed, the grouch, condescending to say:</p> + +<p>"Ah, that sounds good!"</p> + +<p>"Ha! Den if dere iss food to eat I dinks me +dot I don't need to eat my pretzels. I can safe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +dem for annoder time!" cried Mr. Switzer, as +he got out.</p> + +<p>There was a laugh at this, and it was added to +when Mr. Bunn called out in his deepest tragic +voice:</p> + +<p>"Ha! Someone has my silk hat!"</p> + +<p>For he had persisted in wearing that in the +storm, though it was most uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>"It is gone!" he added. "Stolen, mayhap. +Has anyone seen it?"</p> + +<p>"Probably blew off," said Russ. "We'll find +it—when the snow melts!"</p> + +<p>Wellington Bunn groaned—again tragically.</p> + +<p>"I'll get you another," offered Mr. Pertell, generously.</p> + +<p>"Come on, folks! Pile out!" cried Mr. Macksey +again.</p> + +<p>"I'm so stiff I can hardly move!" declared +Ruth.</p> + +<p>"So am I," added Alice. "Oh, but it's good +to be here!"</p> + +<p>"I thought you liked the storm so," observed +Ruth.</p> + +<p>"I do, but I like supper too, and I think it must +be ready."</p> + +<p>Out of the sleds climbed the cold and cramped +picture players, all thought of the fierce storm +now forgotten.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Go right in," invited Mr. Macksey. "Supper's +waiting!"</p> + +<p>"Welcome to Elk Lodge!" called a motherly +voice, and Mrs. Macksey appeared in the open door +of the main corridor. "Come right in!"</p> + +<p>They were glad enough to do it.</p> + +<p>"I don't know any of you, except Russ and Mr. +Pertell," she said, for the manager and his helper +had paid a visit to the place sometime before to +make arrangements about using it.</p> + +<p>"You'll soon know all of 'em," declared Mr. +Pertell with a laugh. "I'll introduce you," which +he quickly did.</p> + +<p>"Now then, I expect you'll want to wash up," +went on the hunter's wife. "I'll have the girl +show you to your different rooms, and then you +can come down to supper. It's been waiting. +What kept you? I'll have to ask you folks because +it's like pulling teeth to get any news out +of my husband. What happened?"</p> + +<p>"A breakdown," explained Ruth, who took an +instant liking to motherly Mrs. Macksey. "Oh, +we had such a time!"</p> + +<p>"Such a glorious time!" supplemented Alice.</p> + +<p>"Here's a girl who evidently likes outdoors," +laughed the hunter's wife.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I do!" cried Alice.</p> + +<p>There was some little confusion, getting the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +players to their rooms, because of the lateness of +the arrival, but finally each one was in his or her +appointed apartment, and trying to get settled. +The rooms were small but comfortable, and the +hunters who had built the lodge for themselves +had provided many comforts.</p> + +<p>"There ought to be a private bath for each +one," declared Miss Pennington, as she surveyed +her room.</p> + +<p>"Indeed there ought," agreed her friend Miss +Dixon. "I think this place is horrid!"</p> + +<p>"How thoughtless and selfish they are," said +Ruth, who shared a room with Alice.</p> + +<p>"Aren't they! I think it's lovely here. Oh, +but I am so hungry!"</p> + +<p>"So am I, dear."</p> + +<p>"Glad to hear it for once, Ruth. Usually you +have so little appetite that one would think you +were in love."</p> + +<p>"Silly! I'm going to eat to-night anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Does that mean you are <i>not</i> in love?"</p> + +<p>"Silly!" cried Ruth again, but that was all she +answered.</p> + +<p>What a glorious and home-like place Elk Lodge +was! Yes, even better than the best home the +moving picture girls had known most of their +lives, for they had spent part of the time boarding, +as their father traveled about with his theatrical<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +company, and who can compare a home to a boarding +house?</p> + +<p>Down in the big living room a fire burned and +crackled, and gave out spicy odors on the great +hearth that took in logs six feet long. And how +cheerfully and ruddily the blaze shone out! It +mellowed and cheered everyone. Even Mr. Sneed +smiled, and stretched out his hands to the leaping +flames.</p> + +<p>As Ruth and Alice were about to go down, +having called to their father across the hall that +they were ready for him, there came a knock on +their door.</p> + +<p>"Come in!" invited Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Sorry to trouble you," spoke Miss Pennington, +"but have you any cold cream and—er—powder? +Our things were left in the other sled—I +mean all of those things, and Laura and I +can't—we simply can't get along without +them."</p> + +<p>"I have cold cream," said Alice. "But powder—that +is unless it's talcum or rice——"</p> + +<p>"That will have to do I guess," sighed the +vaudeville actress. "But I did hope you had a +bit of rouge, I'm so pale!"</p> + +<p>"Never use it!" said Alice quickly. Too +quickly, hospitable Ruth thought, for, though she +decried the use of "paint," she would not be rude<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +to a guest, and, under these circumstances Miss +Pennington was a guest.</p> + +<p>"You don't need it," the caller said, with a +glance at Alice's glowing cheeks, to whom the +wind and snow had presented two damask spots +that were most becoming.</p> + +<p>"The weather is very chapping to my face," the +former vaudeville actress went on. "I really +must have something," and she departed with the +cold cream and some harmless rice powder, which +Ruth and Alice used judiciously and sparingly, +and only when needed.</p> + +<p>The fine supper, late as it was, necessarily, +was enjoyed to the utmost. It was bountiful and +good, and though at first Miss Pennington and +Miss Dixon were inclined to sniff at the lack of +"courses," and the absence of lobster, it was noticed +that they ate heartily.</p> + +<p>"There is only one thing more I want," sighed +Paul, as he leaned back in his chair.</p> + +<p>"What, pray? It seems to me, and I have been +watching you, that you have had about all that is +good for you," laughed Alice. "I have seen you +get three separate and distinct helpings of fried +chicken."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I didn't mean anything more to eat," he +said, quickly, "and if you are going to watch me +so closely I shall have to cut down my rations, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +fear. What I meant was that I would like a moving +picture of this supper. It has memories that +long will linger, but I fain would have a souvenir +of it."</p> + +<p>"Be careful that you don't get indigestion as +a souvenir," laughed Alice, as he followed her +sister from the table.</p> + +<p>The dining room opened off the great living +apartment with that wonderful fire, and following +the meal all the members of the company gathered +about the hearth.</p> + +<p>Outside the storm still raged, and Mr. Macksey, +who came in from having with his men, put away +the horses, reported that the blizzard was growing +worse.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing we thought of changing the +bobs and coming on," he said. "Otherwise we +might be there yet."</p> + +<p>"What really happened?" asked his wife. "I +was telling one of the young ladies that it was like +pulling teeth to get any news out of you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we just had a little breakdown," he said. +"Now, folks, just make yourselves at home. Go +to bed when you like, get up when you please. +I'll try and get the rest of your baggage here +some time to-morrow, if this storm lets up."</p> + +<p>"I hope you do get it," complained Miss Pennington.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Selfish thing!" whispered Alice. "All she +wants is her paint!"</p> + +<p>"Hush," cautioned Ruth. "She'll hear you!"</p> + +<p>"I don't care," voiced her sister.</p> + +<p>They talked of many things as they sat about +the fire, and then Mr. Pertell said:</p> + +<p>"We will film no dramas while the storm continues, +but as soon as we can get out on the ice I +want to start one."</p> + +<p>"Is there skating about here?" asked Alice, +who was very fond of the sport.</p> + +<p>"There's a fine lake back of the lodge," replied +Mr. Macksey, "and as soon as the storm lets up +I'll have the men clear a place of snow, and you +can have all the fun you want."</p> + +<p>"Oh, joy!" cried Alice.</p> + +<p>"Save me the first skate," whispered Paul to +her, and she nodded acquiescence.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pertell briefly outlined the drama he expected +to film on the ice, and then, after a little +more talk, every one voted that bed was the best +place in the world. For the wind had made them +all sleepy, and they were tired out from the storm +and their long journey.</p> + +<p>Alice and Ruth went up to their room. Alice +pulled aside the curtain from the window and +looked out on a scene of swirling whiteness. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +flakes dashed against the pane as though knocking +for admission.</p> + +<p>"It's a terrible night," said Ruth, with a little +shiver.</p> + +<p>"Well, much as I like weather, I wouldn't want +to be out in it long," Alice confessed. "Elk +Lodge is a very good place in a blizzard."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we got snowed in?" asked Ruth, apprehensively.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll dig our way out—simple answer. +Oh dear!" and Alice yawned luxuriously, if not +politely, showing her pretty teeth.</p> + +<p>In spite of the portentous nature of the storm, +it was not fully borne out, and morning saw the +sun shining on the piles of snow that had fallen. +There had been a considerable quantity sifted +down on what was already about Elk Lodge, but +there was not enough to hinder traffic for the +sturdy lumbermen and hunters of that region.</p> + +<p>The wind had died down, and it was not cold, +so when Mr. Macksey announced that he was going +back after the broken-down sleigh, Ruth and +Alice asked permission to accompany him.</p> + +<p>Before starting off Mr. Macksey had set a +gang of men, hired for the occasion, to scraping +the snow off the frozen lake, and when Ruth and +Alice came back they found several of the picture<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +players skating, while Russ was getting ready to +film one of the first scenes of the drama.</p> + +<p>"You're in this, Mr. Sneed," said the manager. +"You are supposed to be skating along, +when you trip and fall breaking your leg——"</p> + +<p>"Hold on—stop—break my leg! Never!" +cried the grouchy actor.</p> + +<p>"Of course you don't really injure yourself!" +exclaimed the manager, testily.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why did I ever come to this miserable +place!" sighed Mr. Sneed. "I despise cold +weather!"</p> + +<p>But there was no help for it. Soon he was +on the steel runners gliding about, while Russ +filmed him. Mr. Sneed was a good skater, and +was not averse to "showing off."</p> + +<p>"All ready, now!" called the manager to him. +"Get that fall in right there. Russ, be ready +for him!"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" groaned the actor. "Here I go!"</p> + +<p>And, as luck would have it, he, at that moment, +tripped on a stick, and fell in earnest. It was +much better done than if he had simulated it.</p> + +<p>But something else happened. He fell so +heavily, and at a spot where there was a treacherous +air hole, that, the next instant Mr. Sneed +broke through the ice, and was floundering in +the chilly water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>THE CURIOUS DEER</h3> + + +<p>"Quick! A rope!"</p> + +<p>"No, boards are better!"</p> + +<p>"Fence rails will do!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, get him out, someone!"</p> + +<p>These were only some of the cries uttered, +following the accident to Mr. Sneed. Meanwhile +he was doing his best to keep himself above +water by grasping the edge of the ice.</p> + +<p>But it crumbled in his fingers, and he was so +shocked by the sudden immersion, and by the +cold, and his skates were so heavy on his feet, +that he went down again and again. Fortunately +the lake was not deep at that point, and as he +went down his feet would touch bottom, and he +could spring up again.</p> + +<p>"Don't go out there!" warned Mr. Pertell, as +Paul started for the spot.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked the young actor.</p> + +<p>"Because the ice is probably thin all around<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +that place. I don't want two of you in. Hold on, +Mr. Sneed!" he cried to the desperate actor. +"We'll have you out in no time!"</p> + +<p>"Shall I get this?" cried Russ, who had not +deserted his camera, even as a gunner will not +leave his cannon, nor a captain his ship. More +than once brave moving picture operators have +stood in the face of danger to get rare views.</p> + +<p>"Yes, get every motion of it!" cried the manager.</p> + +<p>"But it isn't in the play!"</p> + +<p>"I don't care! We'll write it in afterward. +You get the pictures and we'll rescue Mr. Sneed. +Hi, there, Mr. Bunn, you must help with this. Get +some fence rails! We can slide them out on the +ice and they will distribute the weight so that the +ice will hold us."</p> + +<p>"But where will I get fence rails?" asked the +actor.</p> + +<p>"Oh, gnaw them out of a tree!" cried Mr. Pertell, +who was much disturbed and nervous. +"Don't you see that fence?" he cried, pointing to +one not far off. "Get some rails from that. And +then get in the picture!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, such a life!" groaned Mr. Bunn.</p> + +<p>"This is to save a life!" the manager reminded +him.</p> + +<p>And while Russ continued to make moving pic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>tures +of the unexpected scene, the others set about +the work of rescue. Later this could be interpolated +in the drama to make it appear as though +it had all been arranged in advance.</p> + +<p>"Hurry with those rails!" called Mr. Pertell +to Mr. Bunn. "He can't stay in that icy water +forever."</p> + +<p>Some of the men who had been working at removing +the snow now came up with ropes and +trace chains. Then, when the rails were spread +out on the ice, near the air hole, the rescuers were +able to get near enough to throw the ends of +several lines to Mr. Sneed. He managed to grasp +one, and, a moment later was hauled out on the +ice.</p> + +<p>"I—I—I'm c-c-c-cold!" he stammered, as he +stood with the icy water dripping from him.</p> + +<p>"Shouldn't wonder but what you were," agreed +Mr. Pertell. "Now the thing for you to do is to +run to the Lodge as fast as you can. Here, Mr. +Bunn, you and Paul run alongside him, with a +hold on either arm. We'll call this film 'A Modern +Pickwick,' instead of what we planned. In +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Dicken's'">Dickens'</ins> story there's a scene somewhat like this. +We'll change the whole thing about.</p> + +<p>"Russ, you go on ahead, and when Paul and +Mr. Bunn come along with Mr. Sneed, you get +them as they run."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right," assented the young moving picture +operator, as he kept on grinding away at the crank.</p> + +<p>Exercise was the best thing to restore the circulation +of the actor who had fallen into the water, +and he soon had plenty of it. With Paul on one +side, and Mr. Bunn on the other, he was raced +back to Elk Lodge, and there he was supplied +plentifully with hot lemonade to ward off a cold. +Russ got interior pictures of these scenes as well, +and later the film made a great success.</p> + +<p>"In view of the accident, and the fact that +you are all more or less upset," said Mr. Pertell, +when some of the excitement had calmed down, +"we will give up work for the rest of the day. +You may do as you please until to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm going for a walk," cried Alice.</p> + +<p>"I'm with you," spoke Paul, "only we ought +to have snowshoes."</p> + +<p>"Oh, could we get any?" she cried.</p> + +<p>"I can arrange for some for you," promised +Mr. Macksey, "but I haven't any now."</p> + +<p>"Good idea!" exclaimed the manager. "An +idea for a new film—'The Snowshoe Rescue!' +Here, Russ, make some notes of this for future +use," and he began to dictate to the young operator, +who with his employer frequently thus improvised +dramas out of a mere suggestion.</p> + +<p>"If you want to walk," said Mr. Macksey to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +Alice, "you'd better stick to the road. The men +have been out with homemade snowplows breaking +a trail. That's what we do around here after +a storm. You'd better stick to the road."</p> + +<p>"We will!" cried Alice. "Will you come, +Ruth?"</p> + +<p>"Later perhaps—not now. I want to study a +new part I have."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you're waiting for Russ," whispered +Alice.</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly!" flashed Ruth. But she did +not go out with her sister.</p> + +<p>Alice and Paul had a glorious walk in the snow, +and saw a beautiful country, even though it was +hidden under a mantle of white. For Deerfield +was a lovely place.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you cold?" asked Ruth, when her sister +returned.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit. It's glorious. What did you do, +and how is Mr. Sneed?"</p> + +<p>"He's doing nicely, I believe. As for me, I +stayed in. I had some mending to do."</p> + +<p>"Is that why Russ has threads on his coat +sleeve—was it his coat <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'your'">you</ins> were mending?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alice—you are hopeless!" protested +Ruth, but she blushed vividly.</p> + +<p>That afternoon, as Mrs. Macksey was overseeing +the getting of supper, Alice, who went to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +the kitchen for something, heard the veteran +hunter and his wife in conversation.</p> + +<p>"You say they are strangers about here?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, three men. I saw them after you had +gone to the station to get the moving picture +folks. There were three men, and I think they +were after deer."</p> + +<p>"After deer, eh? Don't they know that this is +a private preserve?"</p> + +<p>"They didn't seem to care. They came to ask +their direction. They all had guns, and I'm sure +they were after deer."</p> + +<p>"And you never saw them before?"</p> + +<p>"No, I never did."</p> + +<p>"And you have no idea where they came +from?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't tell—no. I heard one of them ask +the other if he thought it was safe."</p> + +<p>"If what was safe?"</p> + +<p>"He didn't say. Maybe he meant to hunt deer +around here."</p> + +<p>"It won't be safe if I catch them!" declared +Mr. Macksey, as he went out. Alice wondered +who the men could be.</p> + +<p>It was so quiet and peaceful at Elk Lodge that +Mr. DeVere soon forgot all about the annoyance +caused by the demand of Dan Merley for the five<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +hundred dollars. At first he had expected some +sort of legal summons in a suit, but when none +came he breathed easier.</p> + +<p>Several days passed, and a few snow scenes +were filmed to be used later, and worked into +dramas. Mr. Sneed suffered a little cold from +his unexpected bath, but that was all.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the weather had remained about the +same. There was plenty of snow, but no more +storms. Elk Lodge was voted the finest place in +the world, and even Miss Pennington and Miss +Dixon condescended to say that they liked it.</p> + +<p>Then, one day, plans were made for filming a +little drama in the snowy woods, and thither many +members of the company went to act.</p> + +<p>Ruth was supposed to be lost in a dense thicket, +and Paul was soon on his way to find her, in the +guise of a woodman. He had sighted Ruth, over +a clump of bushes, and was making his way +to her, when he heard her scream. This was not +in the play and he wondered what could <ins title="Transcriber's Note: this word inserted into text">have</ins> happened.</p> + +<p>"Quick!" he heard her cry. "He's going to +jump at me!"</p> + +<p>Paul broke into a run, and the next moment +saw a deer, with large, branching antlers, spring +through the underbrush directly in front of Ruth, +while Russ, at the camera, yelled to drive away the +curious animal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE COASTING RACE</h3> + + +<p>"Oh, I'm so frightened!" cried Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Don't be alarmed!" Russ called to her, while +he continued to grind away at the camera. "He +won't hurt you. This will make a dandy picture! +I'm going to film the deer."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but suppose he jabs me with his horns?" +wailed Ruth, who was not quite so alarmed now. +"They are terribly sharp."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry!" Russ answered. "This is +coming out great. The deer was just the one thing +needed to make this film a success."</p> + +<p>"Then I won't spoil it by coming in now!" +called Paul, who was keeping out of the focus +of the camera by crouching down behind some +bushes. He had heard what Russ said, and +had given up his plan of rushing to rescue Ruth. +Evidently there was no need.</p> + +<p>The deer, strange to say, did not seem at all +alarmed, and stood gazing at Ruth with great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +brown eyes. She too, realizing that she was not +to be harmed, acted more naturally now, and with +an appreciation of what was needed to make the +film a proper one.</p> + +<p>She first "registered" fear, and then delighted +surprise, at seeing the animal.</p> + +<p>I might explain that in making moving pictures +certain directions are given to the actors. As +they can not depend on speaking words to let the +audiences know what is going on, they must intimate, +by appropriate gesture, or facial expression, +the action of the play. This is called "registering," +and when in the directions, or scenario, an +actor or actress is told to "register" fear, surprise, +anger, love, jealousy—in fact any of the +emotions—he or she knows what is meant.</p> + +<p>In this case Ruth was without specific directions +save those called out by Russ. And often, in an +emergency a good moving picture camera operator +can save a film from being spoiled by improvising +some "stage directions," if I may call them +such.</p> + +<p>"Shall I approach him, Russ?" Ruth asked, +as she saw that the deer showed no intentions of +fleeing.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if he'll let you. It will make a dandy +scene."</p> + +<p>"Not too close," cautioned Paul, who was still<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +out of sight behind the bushes, waiting until he +could properly come into the scene. "He might +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'accidently'">accidentally</ins> hit you with a sweep of his horns."</p> + +<p>"I'll be careful," answered Ruth. "I believe +the poor thing is hungry."</p> + +<p>"If we only had something to feed him!" exclaimed +Russ. "That would work in fine."</p> + +<p>"I have some lumps of sugar," said Ruth, +speaking with her head turned aside. The reason +for this was that she did not want the movement +of her lips to show on the film, and the camera +will catch and fix even that slight motion.</p> + +<p>The reason Ruth spoke aside was because the +little scene was being improvised, and she had no +proper lines to speak. And, as I have already explained, +often persons in the audience of a moving +picture theatre are able to understand what is +said, merely by watching the lips of the performers +on the screen.</p> + +<p>"Sugar! Good!" cried Russ. "See if he'll +take it. I don't know what deer like best, but if +they're anything like horses they'll revel in sugar. +Go ahead!"</p> + +<p>Ruth had in her pocket some lumps she had +intended giving to the horses attached to the sleds +in which they had come to the woods. She now +took out some of these and held them out to the +timid deer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + +<p>The beautiful creature, made bold, perhaps, by +hunger, came a step nearer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's fine!" cried Russ, squinting +through the focusing tube to get clear, sharp +impressions on the film. "Keep at it, Ruth."</p> + +<p>The deer came nearer, thrusting forth its velvet +nose. It sniffed at the sugar Ruth held, and +then put out its lips and tongue and picked up +the lumps.</p> + +<p>"Fine!" cried Russ. "Maybe he'd like salt +better, for I've read of salt-licks that animals +visit, but sugar will do on a pinch; won't it, old +fellow?"</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was the loud, laughing voice that +Russ used, or it may have been because there +was no more sugar, but, at any rate, the deer, +after taking the sweet lumps gave a sudden turn, +and rushed off through the bushes, going rather +slowly because of the deep snow.</p> + +<p>Russ caught every motion of the graceful +creature, however, and called out to Ruth to +pose with her hand shaded over her eyes, as +though she were looking after the deer. She did +this, and that ended the little scene with the timid +woodland creature, who, if he ever saw moving +pictures, would doubtless be very much surprised +to perceive a presentment of himself on the +screen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come on now, Paul!" called Russ, indicating +to the young actor to show himself so that +he would get into the picture.</p> + +<p>The other players who had come up on hearing +Ruth call out were now ready for their parts +in the play. They had kept out of sight of the +camera, however, so as not to spoil the picture.</p> + +<p>"Very well done!" declared Mr. Pertell, +when Ruth had finished her part in the play. +"That deer will make a very effective picture, +I think."</p> + +<p>"It was a dear deer!" punned Alice, and the +others laughed.</p> + +<p>On the way back to Elk Lodge the manager +made an announcement that interested all in the +company, the young people especially.</p> + +<p>"I have a drama," he said, "that calls for a +coasting race in one scene. I wonder if we +couldn't do that to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Oh, riding down hill!" cried Alice, with +girlish enthusiasm. "What fun! May I steer +a bob?"</p> + +<p>"Alice, you never could!" cried Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Pooh! I've done it lots of times!" her sister +answered.</p> + +<p>"Yes, when you were a little girl, perhaps, +with two sleds held together," laughed Mr. Pertell. +"This will be different. Mr. Macksey tells<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +me he has two big, old-fashioned bobsleds in one +of the barns. Now I think we can get up two +parties and have a big coasting race. The play +calls for it, and the young men who steer the +bobs are rivals for the hand of the same girl. +She has made a condition that whoever gets +first to the bottom of the big hill may marry +her. So you see the plan of the play."</p> + +<p>"Me for a bob!" cried Paul.</p> + +<p>"I wish I didn't have to film the play—I'd +steer one, too!" exclaimed Russ, with a look at +Ruth that made her blush.</p> + +<p>"Must I get into this silly coasting play?" +asked Mr. Bunn.</p> + +<p>"You surely must," answered Mr. Pertell. +"And I want to warn you of one thing—you +are not to wear a high hat—it would only blow +off and embarrass you."</p> + +<p>"Not wear my high hat? Then I refuse to +take part!" cried the tragic actor.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Pertell paid no attention to him, for +he had heard the same thing before.</p> + +<p>The details of the coasting race were discussed +on the way to Elk Lodge, and it was arranged +that a partial rehearsal should be held +next day.</p> + +<p>That night, as Alice and Ruth were going to +bed rather early, on account of the wearying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +work of the day, they heard voices out in the +hall near their room.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" warned Alice, raising her finger, +for Ruth was talking.</p> + +<p>"It's Mr. and Mrs. Macksey," said Ruth.</p> + +<p>"I know. But what are they saying? It's +something about those strange hunters who were +seen about here once before."</p> + +<p>Mr. Macksey, who had been summoned to the +upper hall by his wife to fix a broken window, +was speaking in his deep voice.</p> + +<p>"So those fellows were around again; eh?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I don't like it, Jake," Mrs. Macksey +replied. "You know what it means if they +kill any of the club deer. It may cost you your +place here. The members of the club may say +you were not careful enough."</p> + +<p>"That's so, wife. I reckon I'd better look +after those chaps. If they're trespassing on Elk +Lodge I can have them arrested anyhow."</p> + +<p>The next day was clear and calm, just right +for taking pictures, and after breakfast the entire +company went out on the hill where the bobsled +race was to take place.</p> + +<p>The hill had been prepared in advance by men +from Elk Lodge, so that the sleds would attain +good speed. The snow had been packed down,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +and a place made for Russ to set up his camera.</p> + +<p>"Paul, you will steer one bob," said Mr. Pertell, +as he was arranging the affair, "and Mr. +Sneed will take the other."</p> + +<p>"What, me steer a bobsled down that hill?" +cried the grouchy actor, as he looked at the steep +slope.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said the manager.</p> + +<p>"Something is sure to happen," declared Mr. +Sneed.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mr. Pertell. "All +you have to do is to keep the wheel steady."</p> + +<p>The company of players, with a number of +men from Elk Lodge, added to fill the bobs, +now divided themselves into two parties. Ruth +was to go on the sled with Mr. Sneed, and sit +directly behind him so as to show well in the +camera. Alice was to ride next to Paul on the +other sled. The bobs were long ones, with bells +and large steering wheels in front.</p> + +<p>"All ready?" called Mr. Pertell, when the +players were seated.</p> + +<p>"All ready!" cried Russ, indicating that the +camera was prepared.</p> + +<p>"Go!" ordered the manager, and the men +detailed to push the bobs shoved them ahead. +The moving picture coasting race was on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>ON SNOWSHOES</h3> + + +<p>"Here we go!"</p> + +<p>"Hold on tight, everybody!"</p> + +<p>"Let's see if we can't win!"</p> + +<p>With shouts and laughter the merry coasters +thus enlivened the race down hill. In order to +make the moving pictures appear as realistic as +possible Mr. Pertell had told the players to forget, +for the time being, that they were actors, +and to imagine that they were just boys and +girls, out for a real frolic.</p> + +<p>"And I'm sure I feel like one!" cried Alice, +as she clung to the sides of the bob, where she +sat behind Paul.</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk!" he laughed. "Look +out for yourself now, we're going to bump!"</p> + +<p>At that moment they came to a "thank-ye-ma'am," +as they are called in the country.</p> + +<p>This is a ridge, or bump in the road, made +to keep the rain water from rushing down the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +highway too fast. The ridge turns the water to +one side.</p> + +<p>As Paul spoke the sled reached this place, rose +into the air, and came down heavily.</p> + +<p>"Gracious!" cried Alice. "I was nearly +bounced off!"</p> + +<p>"I warned you!" laughed Paul. "There's +another one just below. Watch out for it."</p> + +<p>Paul's sled was a little ahead of the one +steered by Mr. Sneed, and the latter was unaware +of the treacherous nature of the road. So +he did not warn his fellow coasters. The result +was that two of those on the rear fell off, +but as they landed in soft snow they were not +hurt.</p> + +<p>"All the better!" cried Russ, who was making +the pictures. "That will add to it. Keep going, +Mr. Sneed!"</p> + +<p>"If I go much farther I'll fall off!" cried +the grouchy actor. "I can't hold on much +longer!"</p> + +<p>"You've got to!" ordered Mr. Pertell. "I'm +not going to have this picture spoiled."</p> + +<p>"Please don't fall off, whatever you do!" +cried Ruth, who was back of Mr. Sneed. "That +would leave me to do the steering and I don't +know the first thing about it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll do my best," he said, as graciously<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +as he could. "Certainly I don't want to make +trouble for you, Miss DeVere."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said, and then as she +looked ahead and saw another bump in the road, +she cried:</p> + +<p>"Look out! We're going to hit it."</p> + +<p>Now Mr. Sneed was still suffering from the +effects of the first bump, and not wishing to repeat +it he sought to avoid the second by steering +to one side. But in steering a long and heavy +bobsled, well-laden with coasters, there is one +thing to be remembered. That is, it must not +be steered too suddenly to one side, for it has +a propensity to "skid" worse than an automobile.</p> + +<p>This was what happened in the case of Mr. +Sneed. He turned the steering wheel suddenly, +the bobsled slewed to one side, and, in another +instant, had upset.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!"</p> + +<p>"We'll be killed!"</p> + +<p>These two expressions came respectively from +Miss Pennington and Miss Dixon. Some of the +men cried out and a number of the girls +screamed; but, after all, no one was hurt, for +the snow was soft and luckily the bob rolled to +one side, not hitting anyone.</p> + +<p>The moment he realized that it was about to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +capsize Mr. Sneed let go of the steering wheel, +and gave a jump which carried him out of harm's +way, so the only mishap he suffered was a rather +severe shaking up, and being covered with +snow. Considerable of the white stuff got in +his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Wuff!" he spluttered. "I—gurr—will +never—burr—steer—another—whew—sled!"</p> + +<p>By this time he had cleared his mouth of snow, +and repeated his determination, without the interruptions +and stutterings.</p> + +<p>"Did you get that spill, Russ?" asked Mr. +Pertell, who could not keep from laughing.</p> + +<p>"Every move of it; yes, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Good. I think we can make use of it, +though it wasn't in the scenario. But we'll have +to start over again. I want to get a good close +finish."</p> + +<p>"What's that you said?" asked Mr. Sneed, +as he dusted the snow from his clothes, and +looked at the overturned bob.</p> + +<p>"I said," repeated the manager, "that we'd +have to do the coasting scene over again, as I +wanted to show a close finish of the two sleds +at the foot of the hill, and now we can't, for +one is down there, and the other is up here."</p> + +<p>This was true enough, since Paul had steered +his sled properly, and had reached the foot of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +the slope, where he and the others waved to +their less fortunate competitors.</p> + +<p>"Well, you can have the race over again if +you like," said Mr. Sneed, with decision, "but +I am not going to steer. I knew something +would happen if I steered a bob."</p> + +<p>"Well, you were right—for once," conceded +Mr. Pertell, with a smile. "And perhaps you +are right not to want to steer again. It may +not be safe."</p> + +<p>"I'll do it!" offered Mr. Switzer. "In der +old country yet I haf steered sleds bigger yet +as dis von."</p> + +<p>"All right, you may try," said Mr. Pertell. +"Now then, is anyone hurt?"</p> + +<p>"I am not, I'm glad to say," laughed Ruth, +who was brushing the snow from her garments. +"But it was a narrow escape."</p> + +<p>"Indeed it was!" snapped Miss Dixon. "It +was all your fault, too, Mr. Sneed!"</p> + +<p>"My fault, how?"</p> + +<p>"You steered to one side too quickly. Don't +you try that, Mr. Switzer."</p> + +<p>"Indeed und I vill not. You can trust me!"</p> + +<p>"Get ready then," ordered Mr. Pertell. +"Come on back!" he called to Paul and his companions +at the foot of the hill.</p> + +<p>As the story in which the coasting race figured<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +would have to be changed to make the accident +fit in, Mr. Pertell had Russ get all the incidental +scenes he could, showing the overturned bob +being righted, the coasters getting ready for +the new race, and the other bob being pulled up +hill.</p> + +<p>Once more the rival coasters prepared to start +off, with Mr. Switzer replacing Mr. Sneed. This +time there was no upset, and the two sleds went +down close together.</p> + +<p>Then something new developed. Mr. Switzer +spoke truly when he said he had been used to +steering bobs in Germany. He knew just how +to do it to get the best results, and take advantage +of every favorable spot on the hill.</p> + +<p>Paul, too, seeing that it was to be a real race, +as well as one for the benefit of the moving +picture audiences, exerted himself to get the best +out of his sled. There is little a steersman on +a bob can do except to take advantage of the +easiest course. And this Paul did.</p> + +<p>On and on went the big bobs, nearing the foot +of the hill.</p> + +<p>"This is great!" cried Mr. Pertell.</p> + +<p>"This will be some picture!" declared Russ, +with enthusiasm. "Come on, Paul, he's going +to win!"</p> + +<p>"Not if I know it!" avowed the young actor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, don't let them get ahead of us!" cried +Alice in Paul's ear.</p> + +<p>"I'll do my best," he said, with a grim tightening +of his lips.</p> + +<p>But it was not to be. Either a little more +skillful steering on the part of Mr. Switzer, or +a more favorable course enabled his sled to +shoot ahead, just at the finish, and he won the +race.</p> + +<p>And then a curious thing happened. The sled +kept on going, and slid into a little clump of +bushes, from which, a moment later, a man with +a gun sprang.</p> + +<p>This man seemed as surprised at being thus +driven from his shelter as were the coasters at +seeing him.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Vot does dis mean?" demanded Mr. +Switzer. "Vos you vaiting for us mit dot +gun?"</p> + +<p>Really the man did look a little menacing as +he stood there with poised weapon, looking at +the coasters.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," he managed to stammer, +at length. "I did not see you coming."</p> + +<p>"I guess it's our part to beg your pardon," +said Mr. Sneed, who, though he did not steer +the bob, had been obliged to ride on it. "We +did not mean to run into you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No harm done; none at all," the man said. +"I was hiding here, waiting for a chance to +shoot at a fox that has a particularly fine pelt, +but I guess I may as well give up. I heard the +shouts of you folks, but I had no idea you would +coast away down here."</p> + +<p>"I didn't haf no idea like dot myself," confessed +Mr. Switzer. "But if dere iss no hart +feelings ve vill let comeons be bygones."</p> + +<p>"That suits me," laughed the stranger, as he +turned aside.</p> + +<p>And, as he went away Ruth had a queer feeling +that she had seen him before and under odd +circumstances.</p> + +<p>The coasting incident was over, the race had +been successfully filmed, and the coasters were +turning back up the hill, while Russ was demounting +his camera, for there would be no +more scenes taken at present.</p> + +<p>"Did you notice that man, Alice?" asked +Ruth, as she went up the hill beside her sister.</p> + +<p>"You mean the hunter who looked as though +he wanted to shoot some of us?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a way to talk! But that's the one +I had reference to. Did you notice him particularly?"</p> + +<p>"Not very. Why?"</p> + +<p>"Do you think you ever saw him before?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ruth put the question in such a peculiar way +that Alice looked at her sharply.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean he was one of the men who +tried to get Russ's patent; do you?"</p> + +<p>"No. I can't, for the life of me, though, +think where I have seen that man before, but +I'm sure I have. I thought you might remember."</p> + +<p>Alice tried to recall the face, but could not.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I ever saw him before," she +said, shaking her head. "He might be one of +the many actors we have met on our travels, or +in going around with daddy."</p> + +<p>"No, I'm sure he never was an actor," spoke +Ruth. "Never mind, perhaps it will come to me +later."</p> + +<p>And all the remainder of the day she tried +in vain to recall where she had seen that face +before.</p> + +<p>Mr. Macksey seemed a trifle disturbed when +told of the man being on the hill with a gun.</p> + +<p>"One of those pesky hunters!" he exclaimed. +"I've got notices posted all over the property +of Elk Lodge, but they don't seem to do any +good. I guess I'll have to get after those fellows +and give 'em a piece of my mind. I'd like to +find out where they are stopping."</p> + +<p>The next few days were busy ones for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +picture actors, and a number of dramas were +filmed. In one, two snow forts were built, and +the company indulged in a snowball battle before +the camera.</p> + +<p>"And now for something new," said Mr. Pertell +one day, as he called the company together +in the big living room of the lodge, and pointed +to something piled in one corner. "You'll have +to have a few days' practice, I think, so I give +you fair notice."</p> + +<p>"More coasting?" asked Mr. Sneed, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"No—snowshoes, this time," replied the +manager. "I am going to have you all travel +on them in one scene, and as they are rather +awkward you had better take a few lessons."</p> + +<p>"Lessons on snowshoes!" cried Ruth. "Who +can give them to us?"</p> + +<p>"I have a teacher," said the manager. "Russ, +tell Billy Jack to come in," and there entered +from the porch a tall Indian, dressed in modern +garb.</p> + +<p>Miss Pennington screamed, as did Miss Dixon, +but the Indian smiled, showing some very fine +and white teeth, and said in a gentle voice:</p> + +<p>"Don't be alarmed, ladies, I have no scalping +knife with me, and I assure you that you will +soon be able to get about on snowshoes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>A TIMELY SHOT</h3> + + +<p>Surprise, for the moment, made every member +of the moving picture company silent. That +an Indian should speak so correctly was a matter +of amazement. Mr. Pertell smiled quizzically +as he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Billy Jack is one of the last of his tribe. +He is a full-blooded Indian, but he has been to +Carlisle, which may account for some things."</p> + +<p>"I should say it would," murmured Paul Ardite. +"I'm glad I didn't give a war whoop!"</p> + +<p>"I learned to use snowshoes when I was a +boy," went on the Indian, who, though roughly +dressed was cultured. "I have kept it up ever +since," he went on. "I have charge of a gang +of men getting out some lumber, not far from +here, and when Mr. Macksey told me there was +a company of moving picture actors and actresses +at Elk Lodge I spoke of the snowshoes."</p> + +<p>"And when Mr. Macksey told me of it," put<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +in the manager, "I saw at once that we could +use a scene with some of you folks on the shoes. +So I arranged with Billy Jack."</p> + +<p>"Is that your real name?" asked Alice, who +had taken a sudden liking to the rugged son of +the forest.</p> + +<p>"That's one of my real names, strange as it +sounds," he answered. "I don't much fancy it; +but what am I to do?"</p> + +<p>"I like it!" the girl announced, promptly. +"It's better than being Running Bear or something +like that."</p> + +<p>"I had one of those names—in fact, I have it +yet," he said, "but I never use it. Flaming +Arrow is my real Indian name."</p> + +<p>"Flaming Arrow! How romantic!" exclaimed +Miss Dixon. "How did you come to +get that?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, when I was a boy an Indian from a +neighboring tribe shot an arrow, with some +burning tow on it, over into our camp, just in +a spirit of mischief, for we were friendly. I +snatched the arrow out of a pile of dry bark that +it might have set on fire, and so I got my name. +I am a Western Indian," Billy Jack explained, +"but of late I have made my home in New England. +Now, if you like, I will show you how to +use snowshoes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<p>A number of the queer "tennis racquets," as +Alice called them, had been obtained through the +good offices of Billy Jack, he having arranged +for them in the lumber camp. Snowshoes, as +you all know, consist of a thin strip of wood, +bent around in a curve, and shaped not unlike +a lawn tennis racquet, except that the handle or +heel part is shorter. The shoes are laced with +thongs, and the feet are placed in the centre of +the criss-crossed thongs, and held there by other +thongs or straps.</p> + +<p>The idea of snowshoes is to enable travelers +to make their way over deep drifts without sinking, +the shoes distributing the weight over a +larger area. They are not easy to use, and the +novice is very apt to trip by putting one shoe +down on top of the other, and then trying to step +out.</p> + +<p>Billy Jack, or Flaming Arrow, as Ruth and +Alice voted to call him, first showed the members +of the company how to fasten the snowshoes on +their feet, allowing for the play of the heel. He +put a pair on himself, first, and stepped out over +a stretch of unbroken snow. Instead of sinking +down, as he would have done under ordinary +circumstances, he slipped over the surface as +lightly as a feather.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, you try," he told Mr. Sneed, who was +near him.</p> + +<p>"Who, me? Oh, I can't walk on these +things," protested the grouchy actor.</p> + +<p>"Try!" ordered Mr. Pertell. "I have a very +important part for you in the new play."</p> + +<p>"All right, if you say so, I suppose I must. +But I know something will happen," he sighed.</p> + +<p>It did, and within a few seconds after Mr. +Sneed started out. He took three steps, and then, +forgetting that the snowshoes were rather large, +he tried to walk as though he did not have them +on. The result was he tripped, and came down +head first in a deep drift, and there he remained, +buried to his shoulders while his feet were up +in the air, wildly kicking about.</p> + +<p>He was probably saying things, but they could +not be heard, for his head was under the snow.</p> + +<p>"Somebody help him out!" cried Mr. Pertell, +trying to keep from laughing too hard.</p> + +<p>In fact everyone was so amused that, for the +moment, no one rendered any aid to Mr. Sneed. +But Flaming Arrow finally went over to him, +and succeeded in righting him.</p> + +<p>"Take—take 'em off!" spluttered the actor, +when he could speak. "I am through with snowshoes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>He tried to unlace the thongs that bound his +feet, but could not manage it.</p> + +<p>"Better try once more," advised Mr. Pertell. +"I really need you in the scene, Mr. Sneed, and +you will soon learn to get along on the snowshoes."</p> + +<p>"I never will!" cried the grouch. "Take 'em +off, I say!"</p> + +<p>But no one would, and finally, after Flaming +Arrow had given a few more demonstrations, +Mr. Sneed consented to try again. This time he +did a little better, but every once in a while he +would trip. He did not again dive into a snow +bank, however.</p> + +<p>Other members of the company had haps and +mishaps, and Mr. Bunn stumbled about so that +he lost his new tall hat in a drift, and he refused +to go on with the act until the silk tile was dug +out.</p> + +<p>But finally after two day's practice, the Indian +declared that the company was sufficiently expert +to allow the taking of pictures, and Russ +began to work the camera.</p> + +<p>"Could we come over to your lumber camp +some day?" asked Alice of Flaming Arrow, +when the little drama was over.</p> + +<p>"I would be pleased to have you," he replied, +with a smile. "There are a rough lot of men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +there, but they are always glad to see visitors—especially +ladies. It is rather dull and lonesome +in the backwoods. This has been quite a little +vacation for me."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll come and see you; won't we +Ruth?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, dear. We'll have to ask +daddy," responded Ruth, rather doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he'll say yes!" Alice cried. "He likes +us to see new sights, and I've never been in a +lumber camp yet."</p> + +<p>"Bring your father along," invited Flaming +Arrow. "I think he would be interested."</p> + +<p>Alice promised and then the Indian took his +leave. He promised to come another day and +bring a pair of skis, those long barrel-stave-like +affairs, on which experts can slide down a steep +hill, and make the most astonishing jumps.</p> + +<p>It was a few days after the snowshoe film had +been made that Mr. Pertell decided on getting +some scenes farther back in the woods than he +had yet gone for views. Ruth and Alice, with +Paul and Mr. Switzer, were alone needed for +those particular acts, and as there was a good +road part way it was decided to go as near as +possible in a sled, and use snowshoes for the +rest of the trip, since there had been quite a fall.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pertell went along to see that the proper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +posing and acting was carried out, and when he +reached the place he had Ruth and Alice go on +alone into the woods, Russ filming them as they +advanced. Later Paul and Mr. Switzer were to +come into the picture.</p> + +<p>"That's about right," said the manager when +Ruth and Alice were in a dense thicket. They +were attired as the daughters of lumbermen, +and this particular scene was one in a drama to +be called "The Fall of a Tree."</p> + +<p>"Begin now," ordered Mr. Pertell, and Ruth +and Alice started the "business," or acting, called +for. Russ was grinding away at the crank of +the camera.</p> + +<p>Everything went off well and that part of the +play came to an end. For the next act another +background was to be selected, and Russ went +to it with his camera, leaving Ruth and Alice +standing together in the thicket.</p> + +<p>"We have to wait a few minutes, while Paul +and Mr. Switzer go through their parts," said +Ruth. "Then we'll go over."</p> + +<p>"All right," Alice said. "Oh, but isn't it perfectly +heavenly out here? I just love it at Elk +Lodge!"</p> + +<p>"So do I, dear! Hark! What was that?"</p> + +<p>A sound came from the bushes behind them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>—a +growling, menacing sound, and as they heard +it the girls drew together in fright.</p> + +<p>"It—it's some animal!" gasped Ruth. "Oh, +Alice!"</p> + +<p>"Look. There it is! It's going to spring at +us!" cried the younger girl and with trembling +finger she pointed to a crouching beast not far +away. Its eyes gleamed balefully, and with +sharp switchings of its tail it glared at the girls, +ready to spring.</p> + +<p>The moving picture girls were faint with fear, +and too frightened to shout for help. But suddenly +a voice behind them called:</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid! Stand still. I'm going to +shoot!"</p> + +<p>The next moment a shot rang out. The beast +quivered and then whirled in its death struggle, +while strong arms reached through the floating +powder smoke, and pulled Ruth and Alice back, +and out of danger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>IN THE CAVE</h3> + + +<p>The animal, in its death struggle, bit and +clawed at the snow and bushes about it, and actually +came almost to the feet of the shrinking +girls; but they were safe from harm, for the shot +had come just in time.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll have to give him another bullet," +said the man who had ended the career of the +beast. "I'll put it out of its misery," and he did +so. The shot, so close at hand, caused Ruth and +Alice to jump nervously, and then, for the first +time, as the beast stretched out, and lay still, +they took a look at their rescuer.</p> + +<p>"Why it's Flaming Arrow!" exclaimed Alice, +in delight.</p> + +<p>"At your service!" he laughed. "I am glad +I happened to be near here."</p> + +<p>"So are we!" exclaimed Ruth, with a nervous +laugh. "What sort of a beast is that—a young +bear?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, it's a wildcat, and a mean sort of animal, +once it attacks you. This one must have felt +that it was cornered, for they are not usually so +bold. It's a big one, though, and the pelt will +make a fine rug for your room. May I have the +pleasure of sending it to you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, can you make it into a rug?" asked +Alice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know something of curing, and I have +the materials at my shack in the lumber camp. +I'll make a rug for you, only I'm afraid it isn't +big enough for two," he said, ruefully.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alice may have it!" exclaimed Ruth, +generously.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll get another for you," offered Flaming +Arrow. "They usually travel in pairs, and +the mate of this one is sure to be around somewhere. +I'll get him."</p> + +<p>Later the Indian did get another wildcat, +whether or not the mate of the first one he shot +could not be determined; but, at any rate, Ruth +and Alice each received a handsome fur rug for +their room.</p> + +<p>The sound of the shots brought up the others +of the moving picture company, and Paul turned +rather pale when he realized the danger Alice +had been in.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you call for help?" he asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We didn't need to. Flaming Arrow was +right on the spot when he was needed," replied +Alice.</p> + +<p>"I happened to be out on a little hunting trip," +the Indian explained, "and I saw the wildcat +sneak in this thicket. I did not see the girls, +though, until just as it was about to jump on +them. Then I fired."</p> + +<p>"And just in time, too," declared Ruth. "Oh, +if that beast had ever jumped on me I don't +know what I'd have done!"</p> + +<p>"They're pretty bad scratchers," said Flaming +Arrow. "I was clawed by one once, and I carry +the scars yet."</p> + +<p>"Will you be able to go on with the play?" +asked Mr. Pertell of the girls, when he had heard +the story.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," returned Alice. "My nerves are +all right now. We are getting used to such experiences," +she laughed.</p> + +<p>"I am all right too," Ruth agreed. "But it +was a trying moment."</p> + +<p>Flaming Arrow stood to one side and looked +on interestedly while the remainder of the drama +was being filmed, and then he showed the players +the road to his lumber camp. He invited them to +come over to it, but as the hour was late and as +Mr. Pertell wanted to get a few more scenes in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +different locality, it was decided to defer the visit +to some other time.</p> + +<p>Flaming Arrow said good-bye, and went off +with the dead wild cat slung over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Isn't he just fine!" exclaimed Alice, as she +watched him stalking over the drifts on his snowshoes.</p> + +<p>"I'm getting jealous!" laughed Paul, and +there was more of meaning in his remark than +his outward manner indicated.</p> + +<p>"Well, I do like him!" Alice went on. "He +is so big and strong and manly. And he can +shoot straight!"</p> + +<p>"Hereafter I'll bring along a gun every time +we come out," vowed Paul. "And I'm going to +take shooting lessons."</p> + +<p>"Yah! Dot vould be a goot t'ing," decided +Mr. Switzer. "I gets me too a gun!"</p> + +<p>"Gracious! The game around here had better +seek new quarters!" laughed Alice. "Next +we'll be having Mr. Bunn and Mr. Sneed taking +up the calling of Nimrod."</p> + +<p>Mr. DeVere was rather disturbed when he +heard the story of the wildcat, and once more +he spoke seriously of taking his daughters out +of moving picture work.</p> + +<p>"I really am afraid something will happen to +you," he said. "I think you had better resign.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +I can earn enough for all of us now, for Mr. +Pertell has given me another advance in salary."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Daddy! We simply couldn't give it +up!" cried Alice. "Could we, Ruth?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't like to give it up," responded +Ruth, quietly. She was always less demonstrative +than her sister. "And really, Daddy, we +don't run into danger."</p> + +<p>"I know, my dear, but danger seems to have +formed a habit, of late, of seeking you out," +said the actor. "However, we will wait a few +days. I suppose it would be too bad to disappoint +Mr. Pertell now."</p> + +<p>The next day, owing to a slight indisposition +on the part of Miss Pennington, a drama that +included her as one of the cast had to be postponed, +and as no other was ready to be filmed, +the players had a little holiday.</p> + +<p>"Who wants to come for a trip to the ice +cave?" asked Russ, when he found that he +would not have to use his camera.</p> + +<p>"What's the ice cave?" asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's a cave made out of ice. There's +one about two miles from here, and Mr. Pertell +is thinking of having some scenes made +there. I'm to go out and size up the situation. +Want to come?"</p> + +<p>"It sounds interesting," observed Ruth. "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +believe I would like to go. Shall we, Alice?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, yes."</p> + +<p>"Count me in!" cried Paul.</p> + +<p>So a little later the four young people set off +for the ice cave. This was a natural curiosity +not far from Elk Lodge. Every year, at a waterfall +in a local stream, the ice piled up in fantastic +shapes. The flow of the water, and the effect +of the wind, made a large hollow or cave at the +cascade large enough to hold several persons. +Mr. Pertell had heard of it and had laid one +scene of a drama there.</p> + +<p>There was a fairly good road almost to the ice +cave, and then came a trip across an unbroken +expanse of snow, the snowshoes being used, they +having been carried strapped to the backs of the +four.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how beautiful!"</p> + +<p>"See how the sun sparkles on the ice."</p> + +<p>"And what big icicles!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, if we could only keep that until Summer!"</p> + +<p>Thus the young people cried as they saw the +beautiful ice cave. It was indeed a pretty sight. +Nature, unaided, had done more than man could +ever hope to achieve.</p> + +<p>"Let's go inside," suggested Russ.</p> + +<p>"Will it be safe?" asked Ruth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, surely. Why, we have to go in it when +we make the moving picture, so we might as +well get used to it. They say this ice lasts nearly +all summer. It's down in a deep hollow, you see. +Come on in."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead! I'm game!" Paul said, grimly.</p> + +<p>The girls hesitated, but only for a moment. +Then they followed the young men into the +cavern.</p> + +<p>The entrance was rather small, and they had +to stoop to get through it, but once inside the +cave widened out until there was room for perhaps +a dozen persons.</p> + +<p>"What a lovely place for a dance!" cried +Alice, as she slid about. "It's so slippery that +you'd need those new slippers with rubber set +in the sole. Come, on, try a hesitation waltz," +she cried gaily to Ruth.</p> + +<p>Paul whistled one of the latest popular airs, +and Ruth and Alice slid about.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Paul to Russ. "I'm getting +the craze, too."</p> + +<p>The two young men danced together a moment, +and then came an interruption that caused +them all to look at one another.</p> + +<p>There was a grinding, crashing sound outside, +and the next moment the entrance to the cave +was darkened.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>THE RESCUE</h3> + + +<p>"What happened?"</p> + +<p>"There must have been an ice slide!"</p> + +<p>It was Alice who asked the question, and Paul +who answered it. Standing in the darkened ice +cave, through the walls of which, however, some +light filtered, the four looked anxiously at one +another.</p> + +<p>"It was the dancing that did it," declared +Ruth, in a low voice. "It loosened the ice and +it slid down."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not," said Paul, not wanting Alice +blamed, for she had proposed the light-footed +stepping about on the slippery floor of the cavern. +"It might have slid down itself."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's see what the situation is," proposed +Russ. "We can't stay in here too long, +for it's freezing cold."</p> + +<p>"Yes, let's see if we can get out," added Paul.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + +<p>"See if we <i>can</i> get out!" repeated Ruth. +"Why, is there any danger that we can not?"</p> + +<p>"Every danger in the world, I should say," +spoke Russ, and there was a worried note in his +voice. "I don't want to alarm you," he went on, +"but the fact is that we are shut up in this ice +cave."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say that!" cried Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't he—if it's true?" asked Alice. +"Let's face the situation, whatever it is. Russ, +will you see just how bad it is?"</p> + +<p>Without speaking, the young moving picture +operator went to the hole through which they +had stooped to enter the cavern. In a moment +he came back.</p> + +<p>"It's closed tighter than a drum," he announced. +"A lot of ice slid down from above +and closed the entrance to the cave as if a door +had been shoved across it. We can't get out!"</p> + +<p>For a moment no one spoke, and then Paul +asked, quietly:</p> + +<p>"What are we going to do?"</p> + +<p>"Have you a knife?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"A knife? Yes, but what good is that?"</p> + +<p>"We've got to cut our way out—that's all."</p> + +<p>Ruth and Alice looked at each other. They +began to understand what it meant.</p> + +<p>"Someone from Elk Lodge may come for us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>—if +we don't get back," murmured the younger +girl, in what was almost a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they may, but it's dangerous to wait," +said Paul. "It is cold in here, and it isn't getting +any warmer. It's like being locked in a +refrigerator. We've got to keep in motion or +we'll freeze."</p> + +<p>"Then let's tackle that block of ice at the +entrance," suggested Russ. "Get out your +knife and we'll see if we can't cut a hole large +enough to crawl through."</p> + +<p>If you have tried to cut with a pocket knife +even the small piece of ice which you get in your +refrigerator, you can appreciate the task that confronted +the two young men. A solid block of ice +had slid down from some higher point, and had +blocked the opening to the odd cavern. But the +two were not daunted. They realized the necessity +of getting out, and that within a short time. +Though they were all warmly dressed, the air +of the cavern was chilly, to say the least.</p> + +<p>"Keep moving, girls!" called Russ to Ruth +and Alice, as he and Paul chipped away at the +ice. "This exercise will keep us warm; but you +need to do something to keep your blood in circulation. +Here, take my coat!" he called, as he +arose from his knees, and tossed the garment to +Ruth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I shall do nothing of the sort!" she answered, +promptly. "You need it yourself."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't," he replied, earnestly. "It only +bothers me when I try to cut the ice. Please +take it."</p> + +<p>"But I can't get it on over my cloak."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you can. Put it around your shoulders. +I'll show you how." And he did it quickly, wrapping +it warmly around her.</p> + +<p>"Here, Alice, you take mine!" cried Paul, as +he saw what his companion had done. "You +need it more than I do, and I can't get at that +ice with a big coat like this on."</p> + +<p>In spite of her protests he put it about her, and +the added warmth of the garments was comforting +to the girls.</p> + +<p>The boys, really, were better off without them, +for they had much vigorous work before them, +and in the narrow quarters the heavy coats only +hampered them.</p> + +<p>For it was an exceedingly narrow space in +which they had to work. The fall of the mass +of ice had crushed part of the opening into the +cave, so that Russ and Paul had to crouch down +and stoop in a most uncomfortable position in +order to reach the block that had closed the +doorway.</p> + +<p>With their knives they hacked away at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +frozen mass, sending the chips flying. Much of +it went in their faces and soon their cheeks were +glowing from the icy spray of splinters. Then, +too, they had to stop every now and then to clear +away the accumulated ice crystals that fell before +the attack of their knives.</p> + +<p>"Keep moving, girls," Paul urged Ruth and +Alice. "Keep circling around or you'll surely +freeze."</p> + +<p>"Let's dance," suggested Alice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how can you think of such a thing!" +cried Ruth, "when it was that which caused all +the trouble."</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to believe that!" declared +Alice, firmly. "And it isn't such a terrible thing +to think of, at all. It will keep us warm, and +keep up our spirits."</p> + +<p>And then she broke into a little one-step dance, +whistling her own accompaniment. Surely it was +a strange proceeding, and yet it came natural to +Alice. The young men, too, took heart at her +manner of accepting the situation, and chopped +away harder than ever at the ice barrier.</p> + +<p>"Think we'll make it?" asked Paul of Russ, +in a low voice, when they had been working for +some time.</p> + +<p>"We've got to make it," answered the other. +"We've just got to get the girls out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course," was the brief reply, as if that +was all there was to it.</p> + +<p>And yet, in their hearts, Russ and Paul felt a +nameless fear. Ice, which melts so easily under +the warm and gentle influence of the sun, is exceedingly +hard when it is maintained at a low +temperature, and truly it was sufficiently cold in +the cave.</p> + +<p>Now and then the boys stopped to clear away +the accumulation of ice splinters, and to note how +they were progressing. Yet they could hardly +tell, for they did not know how thick was the +chunk of ice that covered the cave opening. The +edges of the opening itself were several feet in +thickness, and if this hole was completely filled it +would mean many hours of work with the pitifully +inadequate tools at their disposal.</p> + +<p>"How are we coming on?" asked Paul.</p> + +<p>Russ looked back at the girls who, in one corner +of the cave, were pacing up and down to +drive away the deadly cold.</p> + +<p>"Not very well," he returned, in a low voice. +"Don't talk—let's work."</p> + +<p>He did not like to think of what might happen.</p> + +<p>Desperately they labored, eating their way into +the heart of the ice. The splinters fell on their +warm bodies, for they were perspiring now, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +there the frosty particles melted, wetting their +garments through.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Paul uttered a cry as he dug his +knife savagely into the barrier.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter—cut yourself?" asked +Russ.</p> + +<p>"No," was the low-voiced reply. "But I've +broken the big blade of my knife. Now I'll have +to use the smaller one."</p> + +<p>It was a serious thing, for it meant a big decrease +in the amount of ice Paul could chop. But +opening the small blade of the knife he kept doggedly +at the task.</p> + +<p>It was growing darker now. They could observe +this through the translucent walls of the +cave.</p> + +<p>"Do you think they will come for us?" asked +Ruth, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, of course. If we don't get back by +dark," responded Russ, as cheerfully as he could. +"But we'll be out before then. Come on, Paul. +Dig away!"</p> + +<p>But it was very evident that they would not be +out before dark. The ice block was thicker than +Russ and Paul imagined.</p> + +<p>"Please rest!" begged Alice, after a period of +hard work by the two young men. "Please take +a rest!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Can't afford a vacation," returned Russ, +grimly.</p> + +<p>But when he did halt for a moment, to get his +breath, there came from outside the cave a sound +that sent all their hearts to beating joyfully for it +was the voice of some calling:</p> + +<p>"Where are you? Where are you? Alice! +Ruth!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's daddy!" cried the girls together, and +then Russ took up the refrain, shouting:</p> + +<p>"We're in the cave! Get axes and chop us +out! We've only got our knives!"</p> + +<p>"We'll be with you in a moment!" said another +voice, which they recognized as that of +Mr. Macksey. "We'll have to go for a couple +of axes!"</p> + +<p>And then, as the hunter started back to Elk +Lodge, Mr. DeVere, who remained outside the ice +cave, explained through a crevice in the ice wall +that made conversation possible how, becoming +uneasy at the failure of his daughters to return, +he had set out, in company with Mr. Macksey to +look for them.</p> + +<p>In their turn Ruth and Alice, with occasional +words from Russ and Paul, told how they had +become imprisoned.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt?" asked Mr. DeVere, anxiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it, but we're awfully cold, +Daddy," replied Alice.</p> + +<p>"We must give the boys back their coats," said +Ruth to her sister in a low tone. "They are not +chopping now, and they'll freeze."</p> + +<p>Russ and Paul did not want to accept their +garments, but the girls were insistent, and made +them don the heavy coats. Then the four walked +rapidly around the cave to keep their blood in circulation.</p> + +<p>"I wish Mr. Pertell would come and bring the +camera," said Russ. "He could get a good moving +picture of the rescue."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he will," suggested Paul.</p> + +<p>There was a little silence, and then Mr. DeVere +called, from outside the cave;</p> + +<p>"Here they come! Now you will soon be rescued! +There's help enough to chop away the +whole cave!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>SNOWBOUND</h3> + + +<p>Alice and Ruth fairly flew together, holding +their arms tightly about one another in the excess +of their emotion, as they heard this joyful news +shouted to them by their father.</p> + +<p>Ruth cried on her sister's shoulder. She could +not help it. Perhaps Alice felt like crying, too, +so great was the relief; but she was of a different +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'temperment'">temperament</ins>. She laughed hysterically.</p> + +<p>"Is Mr. Pertell there?" called Russ, getting +down close to the hole he and Paul had made in +the ice barrier to enable his voice to carry better. +"Is he there, Mr. DeVere?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's there, and I guess the whole company."</p> + +<p>"Has he the camera?"</p> + +<p>"That's what he has, Russ."</p> + +<p>"Good! Tell him to get a moving picture of +the rescue. We can fix up a story to go with it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will, Russ!" exclaimed the actor.</p> + +<p>Then, as those within the ice cave waited, +they faintly heard other voices outside, and a little +later the sound of axes vigorously applied told +that the ice which had imprisoned them was being +chopped away.</p> + +<p>Fast and furiously the rescuers worked. The +ice flew about in a sparkling spray as the keen +weapons bit deep into it, and the hole grew larger +and larger.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Mr. Pertell was operating the moving +picture camera, getting view after view of the +rescue. There were enough helpers so that his +aid was not needed in chopping the ice.</p> + +<p>"There she goes!" cried Mr. Macksey, as his +axe went through an opening and into the cave. +"I've made the hole!" and he capered about like +a boy, so delighted was he that he had been the +first to bring aid to the imprisoned ones.</p> + +<p>"Oh, now we can get out!" cried Ruth, as she +saw the head of the axe come through.</p> + +<p>"As if there had ever been any doubt of it," +laughed Alice. She could laugh now, but even +with all her gay spirits, there had been a time, not +many minutes back, when it was quite a different +story.</p> + +<p>The hole once made, was soon enlarged, and +then, when it was of sufficient size to enable a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +person to crawl through, Russ shouted to the +rescuers;</p> + +<p>"That'll do! Don't chop any more! We can +wriggle out."</p> + +<p>"Surely, yes," agreed Ruth, as the young moving +picture operator looked to her for confirmation. +"I'm not a bit fussy," she added. "I've +done harder things than crawl on my hands and +knees out of an ice cave."</p> + +<p>"Don't chop any more!" called Paul, for Russ +was leading Ruth to the opening.</p> + +<p>"Come ahead!" called Mr. DeVere, and a +moment later he was holding his daughter in his +arms. Alice soon followed, and she too was +clasped tightly.</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" cried Mr. Switzer, as Russ and +Paul emerged from their strange prison. "Dis is +der best sight vot I have yet had in more as a +month. Half a pretzel!" he exclaimed, holding +out one of the queer, twisted things. He was +never without them since the sled breakdown. +He said they were his mascots.</p> + +<p>There was a scene of rejoicing, and even the +gloomy Mr. Sneed condescended to smile, and +looked almost happy.</p> + +<p>"There, I guess we can use this film in some +sort of a play, if I have to write it myself!" exclaimed +Mr. Pertell, as he finished grinding away<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +at the camera crank. "I can call it 'Caught in +The Ice,' or something like that," he went on, +"We can make some preliminary scenes, and +some others to follow, and get quite a play out of +it."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you thought to bring the camera," +said Russ. Even in the stress of what had happened +to him and his companions, his instinct as +a moving picture operator was ever foremost.</p> + +<p>"We had better get them to Elk Lodge, and +feed them upon something warm," suggested Mr. +Macksey. "I told the wife to have a good +meal ready, for I knew they would be chilled +through."</p> + +<p>"It <i>was</i> pretty cold in there," confessed Alice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't let's talk about it!" cried Ruth. +"It was too terrible."</p> + +<p>An examination of the exterior of the ice cave +showed that just what the young men surmised +had taken place. A large chunk of ice had slid +down from above, and had jammed against the +opening to the cavern.</p> + +<p>Back at Elk Lodge, with warm garments on, +the four who had passed through such a trying +experience soon forgot their troubles. They had +to tell all over again just what had happened, and +the young men were considered quite the heroes +of the hour.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + +<p>The next day none of the four was any the +worse for the experience, save in the matter of a +nightmare memory, and that would gradually +pass away.</p> + +<p>Feeling that the two girls were not capable of +doing any hard work in posing for the camera +that day, Mr. Pertell announced another vacation, +save that Russ was engaged in making some +scenes of snow and ice effects.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon, when the shadows were +lengthening, and the long winter evening was +about to close in, Alice, who was out on the side +porch, saw Mr. Macksey coming in from the barn. +The hunter had an anxious look on his face, and +as he walked toward the house he cast looks up at +the sky now and then. And Alice heard him +murmur:</p> + +<p>"I don't like this! I don't for a cent, by +hickory!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter now?" she asked, merrily. +"Have you seen some of those strange men about +again, hunting on your preserves?"</p> + +<p>"No, Miss Alice. Not this time," he replied, +slowly.</p> + +<p>"What is it then?"</p> + +<p>"Well, to tell you the truth, I don't like the +looks of the weather."</p> + +<p>"Do you think we're going to have another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +blizzard?" and there was a note of alarm in her +voice.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking that's what's coming," he made +answer. "I never knew the weather to act just +this way before except once, and then we had the +worst storm I ever remember. That was when +I was a boy, and more snow fell in that one storm +than in any three winters put together."</p> + +<p>"Gracious! I hope that won't happen now!" +cried the girl.</p> + +<p>"So do I," went on the hunter. "And I'm going +to take all precautions. I'll get the men, and +we'll pile the fodder in the barn so if we can't get +out to feed the stock they won't starve for a week, +anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Does it ever happen that you can't get out to +the barns?" Alice wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Indeed it does, young lady. When there is a +heavy fall of snow, and the wind blows hard, it +drifts almost as high as the house. Yes, I think +we're in for a storm, and I'm going to get ready +for it. Best to be on the safe side."</p> + +<p>A little later he and a number of his hired men, +as well as some of the picture players, were engaged +in looking after the horses and cows. Great +piles of hay and grain were moved from the barns +where the fodder was kept in reserve, to the +buildings where the stock were stabled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How about our rations?" asked Mr. Bunn, +who was not of much help in work of this sort. +"Have we enough to last through a storm?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we've got some," Mr. Macksey admitted. +"But I own I would like a little better stock +in the Lodge. I counted on some supplies coming +in to-day; but they haven't arrived. We'll have +to do the best we can."</p> + +<p>"What is all the excitement about, Alice?" +asked Ruth as she came out to join her sister on +the porch.</p> + +<p>"A big storm coming, Mr. Macksey says. +They're getting ready for it. I want to see it!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alice. Suppose it should be a blizzard!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I want to see it anyhow. If it's going +to come I can't stop it; but I can enjoy it," Alice +remarked in her characteristically philosophical +way.</p> + +<p>There was a curious humming in the air, as +though someone, a great way off, were moaning +in pain. It did not seem to be the wind, and yet +it was like the sigh of a breeze. But the gaunt-limbed +trees did not bow before this strange blast.</p> + +<p>The air, too, had a bite and tingle to it as +though it were filled with invisible particles of +ice. The clouds were lowering, and as the afternoon +wore away there sprang up in the west a +black band of vapor, almost like ink.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>Alice induced Ruth to pay a visit to the barn, +to watch the preparations for providing for the +stock. Even the animals seemed uneasy, as +though they sensed some impending disaster. +The horses, always nervous, were doubly so, and +moved restlessly about, with pricked-up ears, +and startled neighs. The cows, too, lowed plaintively.</p> + +<p>"Well, we've done all we can," announced Mr. +Macksey, as night came on. "Now all we can +do is to wait. There's plenty of fuel in the cellar, +and we'll not freeze, at any rate."</p> + +<p>There was a sense of gloom over all, as they +sat in the big living room of Elk Lodge that +night, and looked at the blazing logs. Everyone +listened apprehensively, as though to hear the +first message of the impending storm.</p> + +<p>The sighing of the wind, if wind it was that +made that curious sound, was more pronounced +now, and as the blast came down the chimney it +scattered ashes and embers about, and at times +rose to an uncanny wail.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but that gives me the shivers!" +exclaimed Miss Pennington, tossing aside the +novel in which she had tried to become interested. +"This is positively awful! I wish I were back in +New York."</p> + +<p>"So do I!" added her chum.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, but a good snow storm is glorious!" +cried Alice. "I am just wild to see it."</p> + +<p>"That's right," exclaimed her father, with a +smile. "Take a cheerful view of it, anyhow."</p> + +<p>Some one proposed a guessing game, and with +that under way the spirits of all revived somewhat. +Then came another simple game, and the +time passed pleasantly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Macksey, coming back from a trip to the +side door, startled them all by announcing:</p> + +<p>"She's here!"</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked his wife, looking up from her +sewing.</p> + +<p>"The storm! It's snowing like cotton batting!"</p> + +<p>Alice rushed to the window. She shaded her +eyes with her hands at the side of her head and +peered out. It seemed as though the lamplights +shone on a solid wall of white, so thickly was the +snow falling.</p> + +<p>The wind had now risen to a blast of hurricane-like +velocity and it fairly shook Elk Lodge, +low and substantial as the house was.</p> + +<p>By ones and twos the picture players went to +their rooms, and soon silence and darkness settled +down over the Lodge. That is, silence within +the house, but outside there was the riot of the +storm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> + +<p>Two or three times during the night Alice +awakened and, going to the window, looked out. +She could make out a dim whiteness, but that was +all. Around the window there was a little drift +of snow on the sill, where it had been blown +through a crack.</p> + +<p>And in the morning they were snowbound. So +heavy was the fall of snow, and so high had it +drifted, that some of the lower windows were +completely covered, from the ground up. And +before each door was such a drift that it would be +necessary to tunnel if they were to get out.</p> + +<p>"The worst storm I ever see!" declared Mr. +Macksey, as he closed the door against the blast. +"It would be death to go out in it now. We are +snowbound, by hickory!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>ON SHORT RATIONS</h3> + + +<p>Apprehensive as all had been of the coming +of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, +none of the picture players was quite prepared +for what they saw—or, rather, for what they +could not see. For not a window on the lower +floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of +snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes +were clear of it. And through those bits of glass +all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling +mass, for the white flakes were still falling.</p> + +<p>Not an outer door of the house but was blocked +by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals +at present, as the snow fell into the room.</p> + +<p>"But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, +when the situation had been made plain to him. +"We can't take any moving pictures; can we?"</p> + +<p>"Not in this storm," Mr. Macksey declared. +"It would be as much as your life is worth to go +out. It is bitter cold and the wind cuts like a +knife!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wish I could get some views," spoke Russ. +"It would give New York audiences something +to talk about, to see moving pictures of a storm +like this."</p> + +<p>"You might go up in the cupola on the roof," +suggested Mr. Macksey. "You could stand your +camera up there and possibly get some views."</p> + +<p>"I'll do it!" cried Russ.</p> + +<p>"And may I come?" asked Alice, always +ready for an adventure of that sort.</p> + +<p>"Come along!" he cried, gaily.</p> + +<p>The cupola was more for ornament than use, +but it was large enough for the purpose of Russ. +After breakfast he took his moving picture camera +up there, and managed through the windows, +to get some fairly good pictures. The trouble +was, however, that the snow was falling so +thickly that it obscured the view. At times there +would come a lull in the storm, and then Russ +was able to get scenes showing the great black +woods, and the white banks of snow.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but it's cold work!" he cried, as he +stopped to warm his hands, for the little room on +the roof was draughty, and the snow blew in.</p> + +<p>"It's a wonderful storm," cried Alice. "I +wouldn't have missed it for worlds!"</p> + +<p>All that day the storm raged, and all that night. +There was nothing which could be done out of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +doors, and so the players and the men of the +Lodge were forced to remain within. Great +fires were kept up, for the temperature was very +low.</p> + +<p>The wise forethought of Mr. Macksey in providing +for the stock prevented the animals from +starving, as they would have done had not a supply +of fodder been left for them. For it was out +of the question to get to the barns.</p> + +<p>After two days the storm ceased, the skies +cleared and the sun shone. But on what a totally +different scene than before the coming of the +great blizzard!</p> + +<p>There had been plenty of snow in Deerfield +before, but now there was so much that one old +man, who worked for Mr. Macksey, said he never +recalled the like, and he had seen many bad +storms.</p> + +<p>"Well, now to tunnel out!" exclaimed Mr. +Macksey when it had been ascertained, by an observation +from the cupola, that the fall of snow +was over. "We'll see if we can't raise the embargo."</p> + +<p>But it was no easy matter. All the doors were +blocked by drifts, and in making a tunnel through +snow it is just as necessary to have some place to +put the removed material as it is in tunneling +through the side of a hill.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We can't start in and dig from the door, for +we'd have to pile the snow in the room back of +us," said the hunter. "So the only other plan is +to get outside, somehow, and work up to the +house, tossing the snow to one side. I may have +to dig a trench instead of a tunnel. I'll soon +find out."</p> + +<p>Finally it was decided that the men should go +to the second story, out on a balcony that opened +from Mr. DeVere's room, and get down into the +snow that way. They would use snowshoes so as +to have some support, and thus they could attack +the drifts.</p> + +<p>This plan was followed. Fortunately Mr. +Macksey had thought to bring in snow shovels +before the storm came, and with these the men +attacked the big white piles.</p> + +<p>It was hard work, but they labored with a will, +and there were enough of them to make an effective +attack. Mr. Macksey, in spite of the fact +that he had food and water for his stock, was +anxious to see how the animals were doing. So +he directed that first paths, tunnels or trenches be +made to the various barns.</p> + +<p>In some places, around the lee of a building, +the ground was bare of snow, and in other places +the drifts were fully fifteen feet high.</p> + +<p>Russ, who had not gone out to shovel snow,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +was observed to be nailing some light broad +boards together in a peculiar way.</p> + +<p>"What are you making?" Ruth asked him.</p> + +<p>"Snowshoes for my camera," was his surprising +answer.</p> + +<p>"Snowshoes for your camera?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I want to get out and take some views, +but I can't stand the thin legs of the camera on +the snow. They'd pierce through it. So I'm going +to put a broad board under each leg, and that +will hold the machine up as well as snowshoes +hold me."</p> + +<p>"What a clever idea!" she cried. "I'm going +to watch you. What sort of views do you expect +to get?"</p> + +<p>"Some showing the men digging us out. We +can get up a film story and call it 'Prisoners of +the Snow,' or something like that."</p> + +<p>"Fine!" cried Alice. "I'm coming out, too."</p> + +<p>She and Ruth got their snowshoes, and by +this time the men had a deep trench up to the +front door, so that it was not necessary for the +girls to go out by the way of the balcony. They +were delighted with the strange scene, and Russ +obtained many fine pictures of the men laboring +in the snow.</p> + +<p>It was hard work to tunnel and trench out to +the barn where the animals were, but finally it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +was done. They were found to be all right with +two exceptions. A horse had died from getting +into the oat bin and eating too much, and a cow +was frozen, having gotten away from the rest, +and broken into a small outbuilding.</p> + +<p>But the rest of the stock was in good condition, +and, as Alice said, they seemed almost human, +neighing or lowing at the sight of the men.</p> + +<p>"I believe they were actually lonesome," said +Alice.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, animals do get that way!" declared +Mr. Macksey.</p> + +<p>As the snow was so deep, no dramas could be +filmed in it, so Mr. Pertell and his players were +enjoying enforced idleness. The time was spent, +however, in learning new parts, in readiness for +the time when some of the snow should have +melted.</p> + +<p>Many more paths, tunnels and trenches were +made, but it was impossible to go more than a +short distance from Elk Lodge, even on snowshoes. +Later, when the snow had packed more, +and a crust had been formed, it was planned to +take many pictures of various happenings in the +great piles of white crystals.</p> + +<p>Three days after the storm saw little change +in the appearance of the country and landscape +about the hunting lodge. It was snow, snow,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +snow everywhere—on all sides. Within the +house it was warm and cozy, and for months +afterward it was a pleasant recollection to talk +of the hours spent about the great fire in the living +room.</p> + +<p>But in spite of the fact that his animals were +safe, except for the two that had died, Mr. Macksey +seemed worried. Several times he paid a visit +to the cellar, or the store room, where the provisions +were kept, and more than once the girls +heard him murmuring to himself.</p> + +<p>"What is the trouble?" Alice asked him once, +as he came up from a trip to the cellar.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm afraid you folks will have to go +on short rations if the supplies don't come in soon +from the store," he replied. "I've got plenty of +meat on hand, but other things are somewhat +scarce."</p> + +<p>"Then we won't starve?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, maybe not actually starve, but you may +be hungry for certain things."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not fussy!" Alice laughed. "I can +eat anything."</p> + +<p>The storm was so severe and so wide-spread, +that, in about a week, there was an actual shortage +of provisions at Elk Lodge. The meals had to +be curtailed in regard to certain dishes, and there +were loud complaints from Mr. Bunn and Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +Sneed, as well as from Miss Pennington and Miss +Dixon. But the others made the best of it.</p> + +<p>"I wish I had never come to this horrid place!" +exclaimed Miss Pennington, when her request +for a fancy dish had to be denied.</p> + +<p>"You may go back to New York any time you +wish," observed Mr. Pertell, with a grim humor, +as he looked out on the great piles of snow. It +would have been impossible to get half-way to the +station.</p> + +<p>Miss Pennington "sniffed" and said nothing.</p> + +<p>But there was no actual suffering at Elk +Lodge. Before it got to that point Mr. Macksey +hitched up six horses to a big sled and made his +way into town. He brought back enough provisions +for a small company of soldiers.</p> + +<p>"Now let it 'bliz' if it wants to!" he cried, +as he and his men stocked up the storeroom.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>THE THAW</h3> + + +<p>"Now for some hard work," said Mr. Pertell +one day, about ten days after the big storm. "I +think we can safely go out, and make some of the +scenes in the play 'Snowbound,'" he went on. +"There will not be much danger that we will be +caught in another blizzard; will there?" he asked +of Mr. Macksey.</p> + +<p>"I should hope not!" was the answer. "I +don't believe there is any snow left in the clouds. +Still, don't take too many chances. Don't go +more than ten miles away."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wasn't thinking of going half that distance!" +said Mr. Pertell. "I just want to get a +scene or two at some place where the snow is +piled in fantastic forms. The rest of the story +takes place around the Lodge here."</p> + +<p>"Is it the one that is something like the story +of Lorna Doone?" asked Alice, who had been +reading that book.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's the one," said Mr. Pertell. "And I +think I shall cast you as Lorna."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how nice!" she laughed. "But who will +be John Ridd? We need a great big man for +him!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I was thinking of using Mr. Macksey," +went on the manager, with a look at the +hunter.</p> + +<p>"What? Me have my photograph took in +moving pictures!" cried the keeper of the Lodge. +"Why, I don't know how to act!"</p> + +<p>"You know how a great deal better than some +that are in the business," returned Mr. Pertell, +coolly. "Present company always excepted," he +added, as Mr. Bunn looked up with an injured +air. "What I mean is that you are so natural," +he continued. "In fact, you have had your pictures +taken a number of times lately, when you +and your men were clearing away the snow. So +you see it will be no novelty for you."</p> + +<p>"But I didn't know when you took my pictures!" +objected the hunter.</p> + +<p>"No, and that's just the point. Don't think of +the camera at all. Be unconscious of it. I'll arrange +to have it masked, or hidden, if you think +you can do better that way. But I have some +scenes calling for a big man battling in the snow +to save a girl, and you and Miss Alice are the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +proper characters. So I hope you won't disappoint +me."</p> + +<p>"I'll do my best," promised Mr. Macksey. +"But I'm not used to that sort of work."</p> + +<p>However, when the preliminary scenes for the +big drama were filmed he did some excellent acting, +the more so as he was totally unconscious +that he was acting.</p> + +<p>Several days were spent in making films of the +play, for Mr. Pertell wanted to take advantage +of the snow.</p> + +<p>"It won't last a great while longer," remarked +the hunter. "It's getting warm, and there'll be a +thaw, soon."</p> + +<p>He proved to be a true weather prophet for in +two weeks there was scarcely a vestige of the +snow left. It grew warm, and rained, and there +was so much water about, from the rain and melting +snow, that it was nearly as difficult to get +about as it had been in the big drifts.</p> + +<p>But the thaw proved an advantage in one way, +for it opened up the roads that had been well-nigh +impassable, and mail and other supplies came +through.</p> + +<p>The storm, while it gave Mr. Pertell a chance +to make some fine pictures, had one drawback. +He was not able to send the reels of film in to +New York for development and printing. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +lost considerable time and some money on this +account, but it could not be helped.</p> + +<p>But with the passing of the snow the highways +were clear, and traffic to and from the village +was made easy.</p> + +<p>One day Mr. Macksey came back from town +with a good-sized bag, filled with mail for the +picture players.</p> + +<p>"Oh, here's a letter for you, Ruth, and one for +me!" cried Alice, as she sorted them over. "One +for daddy, too! Oh, it's a big one!"</p> + +<p>The moving picture girls were busy over their +epistles for some time, as there proved to be a +number of missives for them, from relatives, and +from friends they had made since posing for the +camera. But when Alice read all hers and was +passing some of them to her sister, she happened +to glance at her father's face.</p> + +<p>"Why Daddy!" she cried, "what is the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Oh—nothing!" he murmured, hoarsely for +he had caught a little cold, and his voice was almost +as bad as it had been at first.</p> + +<p>"But I'm sure it's something!" Alice insisted. +"Is it bad news? Ruth, make him tell!"</p> + +<p>The three were in Mr. DeVere's room, where +they had gone to look over the mail.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it isn't anything!" declared the actor,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +and he tried to slip into his coat pocket the letter +in the large envelope that Alice had handed to +him.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure it is," she insisted. "Please tell +me, Daddy."</p> + +<p>The letter fell to the floor, and Alice could not +help seeing that it was from a firm of New York +lawyers.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is it the trouble about the five hundred +dollars?" the girl cried. "Is Dan Merley making +more trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Mr. DeVere. "He has +brought suit against me, it seems. This is a notice +from the lawyers that if I do not pay within +a certain time I will be brought to court, and compelled +to hand over the money."</p> + +<p>"Can they make you do that, Daddy?" asked +Ruth, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid they can, my dear. As I told you, +I have no proof, except my own word, that I paid +Merley. He still holds my note, and that is legal +evidence against me. Oh, if I had only been +more business-like!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Daddy!" Alice comforted him, +putting her arms about his neck. "Perhaps there +will be a way out."</p> + +<p>"I hope so," her father murmured, in broken +tones.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How did the lawyers know you were here?" +asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>"They didn't. They sent it to the apartment, +and the postman forwarded it to me."</p> + +<p>"They can't sue you up here in this wilderness +though; can they?" asked Alice.</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about the law part of +it," replied Mr. DeVere. "I presume, though, +that they can sue me anywhere, even though I +have paid the money, as long as Merley holds that +note. They can make a great deal of trouble if +they wish."</p> + +<p>"Poor Daddy!" Ruth sighed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I mustn't make you worry this way," +he said spiritedly. "I shall find some way to +fight this case. I'll never give in to that +scoundrel."</p> + +<p>"I wonder where he is?" mused Alice. "We +thought he was injured in the accident, and +would not bother you."</p> + +<p>"This notice does not mention him," replied +Mr. DeVere, as he paused over the letter again. +"It merely speaks of him as 'our client.' He +may be in the hospital, for all I can tell."</p> + +<p>They discussed the matter from all viewpoints, +but there was nothing to be done.</p> + +<p>"You will have to reply to the lawyers, though; +won't you, daddy?" asked Ruth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I must write to them. I shall state +the case plainly, and, though, I have no proof, I +shall ask them to drop the suit, as it is an unjust +one."</p> + +<p>"And if they don't?" suggested Alice.</p> + +<p>"If they don't—well, I suppose I shall have to +suffer," he replied, quietly. "I cannot raise the +money now."</p> + +<p>"Oh dear!" cried Alice, half petulantly. "I +wish the blizzard was still here!"</p> + +<p>"Why, Alice!" cried Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Well, I do! Then there wouldn't have been +any mail, and daddy wouldn't have received this +horrid letter."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, it's best to know the plans of one's +enemies," said Mr. DeVere. "Now I know what +to expect. I think I shall write to Dan Merley +myself, and appeal to his better nature. Surely, +even though he was not entirely sober when I paid +him the money, he must recall that I did. I confess +I do not know whether he is merely under +the impression that I did not pay him, or is deliberately +telling a falsehood. It is hard to decide," +he added, with a sigh.</p> + +<p>Mr. DeVere sent a letter to Merley the next +day, and a few days later an answer came back +from New York, from the same firm of lawyers +who had served the legal notice, to the effect that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +their client had left the matter entirely in their +hands, and that the money must be paid. Mr. +Merley, the lawyer said, preferred to have no direct +communication with Mr. DeVere.</p> + +<p>"That settles it! They mean to push the case +to the limit!" exclaimed the actor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>IN THE STORM</h3> + + +<p>"That's the way to drive!"</p> + +<p>"Come on now!"</p> + +<p>"Faster, if you can make the horses go!"</p> + +<p>"Get all that in, Russ!"</p> + +<p>It was a lively scene, for a spirited race in cutters +was in progress between Mr. Bunn and Mr. +Sneed. It was taking place on the frozen surface +of the lake, and each actor had been instructed to +do his best to win. The race was a scene in the +big snow drama, and it was being filmed several +days after the events narrated in the preceding +chapter.</p> + +<p>The thaw was over, there had been a spell of +cold weather, and Deerfield was icebound. The +lake was a glittering expanse, and the ice on it +was thick enough to support a regiment.</p> + +<p>"A little more to the left, Mr. Sneed!" called +Russ, who was taking the pictures. "I want +to get a better side view."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But if I go too far to the left I'm afraid I'll +run into Mr. Bunn," objected the gloomy actor.</p> + +<p>"No matter if you do—if you don't run into +him too hard," cried Mr. Pertell. "It will make +it look more natural."</p> + +<p>"If he runs into me—and does me any damage—I +shall sue him and you too!" declared Mr. +Bunn. "This is a farcical idea, anyhow. You +said I might get a chance to do some Shakespearean +work up here; but so far I have done +nothing."</p> + +<p>"I'll see what I can do on that line next week," +promised the manager. "Go on with this race +now. The idea is for you, Mr. Sneed, to be in +pursuit of Mr. Bunn. You must look as though +you really wanted to catch him. Put some spirit +into your acting."</p> + +<p>"It is too cold!" complained Mr. Sneed. "I +would a great deal rather be sitting beside the +fire in the Lodge."</p> + +<p>"No doubt," commented Mr. Pertell, drily. +"But that won't make moving pictures. Come +on, now, start your horses again," for they had, +so far, been only rehearsing.</p> + +<p>Finally Mr. Pertell was satisfied that the play +would be done to his satisfaction, and gave the +word for Russ to start unreeling the film.</p> + +<p>Away started the two cutters over the ice, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +the two actors really managed to put a little enthusiasm +into their work. Then, as Russ called +to Mr. Sneed to edge over a little to the left, as +he had done before, at the rehearsal, the gloomy +actor pulled too hard on one rein. His horse +swerved too much, and, the next instant, the cutter +upset, and Mr. Sneed was neatly deposited +on the ice.</p> + +<p>Fortunately he fell clear of the vehicle, and +was not entangled in the reins, so he was not hurt. +The horse, an intelligent animal, feeling that +something was wrong, came to a stop after running +a little distance.</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop!" called Mr. Pertell to Mr. +Bunn, who was still urging on his horse, unaware +of the accident to his fellow actor. "The scene +is spoiled. Don't take that, Russ. Sometimes I +like an accident on the film, but not in this case. +It would spoil the action of the play. It will have +to be done over again."</p> + +<p>"Not with me in it!" said Mr. Sneed, as he +got up and went limping toward shore.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked Mr. Pertell. "Why don't +you want to do this act?"</p> + +<p>"Because I am hurt. I knew something would +happen when I got up this morning, and it certainly +has. I may be injured for life by this."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed the manager.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +"You're not hurt. You only think so. Here, +Mrs. Maguire, give him that bottle of witch hazel +I saw you use for little Tommy the other day. +That will fix you up, Mr. Sneed."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" exclaimed the "grouch." And +then, as the motherly Irish woman, with a quizzical +smile on her face, started to the house for +the liniment, Mr. Sneed said:</p> + +<p>"Oh, you needn't make such a fuss over me. +I suppose I can go on with this, if I am suffering. +Bring back the horse."</p> + +<p>The overturned cutter was righted, and the +play went on. This time no mishap occurred and +the race was run to a successful finish.</p> + +<p>"Now, Alice and Ruth, you will get into the +larger cutter, and with Paul for a driver we'll +make the next scene," directed Mr. Pertell, and +so the making of the play went on.</p> + +<p>The filming of the big drama was to occupy +several days, as some of the scenes were laid in +distant parts of the game preserve belonging to +Elk Lodge, and there was not time to take the +company there, and come back for other scenes, +the darkness falling early, as the year was dying.</p> + +<p>There came fair weather, and storms, alternating. +A number of fine films were obtained by +Russ, some of them showing weather effects, and +others views of the ice at the falls where the two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +girls and their companions had been imprisoned +in the ice cave.</p> + +<p>It was on one comparatively warm afternoon +that Alice, who had been out in the barn to give +some sugar to a favorite horse, came back and +called to Ruth:</p> + +<p>"Let's go for a walk. It's perfectly lovely +out, and it will do us both good."</p> + +<p>"All right!" agreed Ruth. "I've been sewing +all morning and my eyes are tired. Where are +you going?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, in a direction we have never taken +before."</p> + +<p>"Don't get lost," advised their father.</p> + +<p>"We won't," returned Alice. "Don't you +want to come, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"Too busy. I'm studying a new part," he +said.</p> + +<p>So the two moving picture girls started off, and +soon were tramping through the woods, following +an old lumber trail.</p> + +<p>"This leads to the camp of Flaming Arrow," +said Alice, for they had paid the promised visit +some time before. "Shall we take it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but not all the way to the lumber camp," +objected Ruth. "That is too far."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wouldn't think of going there now,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +responded Alice. "I mean to branch off on the +new path I spoke of."</p> + +<p>The day was pleasant, but there was the hint +of a storm in the feeling of the air and in the +clouds, and the hint was borne out a little later, +for a fine snow began sifting down.</p> + +<p>The girls kept on, however though Ruth +wanted to turn back at the first white flake.</p> + +<p>"There's going to be a storm," she declared.</p> + +<p>"What of it?" asked Alice, with a merry +laugh. "It will be all the more fun!"</p> + +<p>But a little later, when the wind suddenly +sprang into fury, and lashed the flakes into their +faces with cutting force, even Alice was ready to +turn back.</p> + +<p>"Come on," she cried to her sister. "We'd better +not go to the snow grotto—that was a natural +curiosity I wanted to show you. But we'll have +to wait until another time."</p> + +<p>"I should think so!" exclaimed Ruth. "This +is terrible! Oh, suppose we should be lost?"</p> + +<p>"How can we be, when all we have to do is to +follow the path back to Elk Lodge?"</p> + +<p>Alice thought it would be as easily done as she +had said, and Ruth trusted to the fact that her +sister had been that way on a previous occasion. +But neither of them realized the full force of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +storm, nor how easy it was to mistake the way in +blinding snow.</p> + +<p>They emerged from a little clump of woods, +and then they felt the full force of the blast in +their faces.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alice, <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'We'">we</ins> can't go on!" cried Ruth, +halting and turning her face aside.</p> + +<p>"But we must!" Alice insisted. "We've got +to get back. We can't stay out in this snow. It's +a small-sized blizzard now, and it is growing +worse."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what shall we do?" cried Ruth, almost +sobbing.</p> + +<p>"We must keep on!" declared Alice, grimly.</p> + +<p>They locked arms and bent their heads before +the blast. They tried to keep to the path, but +after a few moments of battling with the storm, +Ruth cried:</p> + +<p>"Alice where are we?"</p> + +<p>"On the way to Elk Lodge, of course."</p> + +<p>"No, we're not. We're off the path! See, we +didn't come past this big rock before," and she +pointed to one that reared up from the snow.</p> + +<p>Alice paused for a moment, and then, with a +curious note of fear in her voice, she said:</p> + +<p>"I—I am afraid we are lost, Ruth. Oh, it is +all my fault!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>THE THREE MEN</h3> + + +<p>They stood there together—the two moving +picture girls—in the midst of the sudden storm. +They stood with their arms about each other, and +the frightened eyes of Alice gazed into the terror-stricken +ones of Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Alice," cried Ruth, "do you really think we +are lost?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid so. I didn't notice which way we +were going; but, as you say, we didn't pass that +rock before. We must be lost!"</p> + +<p>"But what are we to do?"</p> + +<p>"We've got to do something, that's sure!" +Alice exclaimed. "We can't stay here and +freeze."</p> + +<p>"Of course not. But if we go on in the storm +we may be snowed under."</p> + +<p>"And I'm more afraid to stay here. We must +keep on the move, Ruth."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so. Oh, if we could only see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +our way! We can't be so very far from Elk +Lodge."</p> + +<p>"We are not," agreed Alice. "We did not +walk fast, and we have not been gone very long. +The Lodge can't be more than two miles away; +but it might just as well be two hundred for all +the good that does us in this storm."</p> + +<p>Indeed the snow was so thick that it was impossible +to see many feet ahead. The white +flakes swirled, seeming to come first from one +direction, and then from another. The wind +blew from all points of the compass, varying so +quickly that the girls found it impossible to keep +it at their backs.</p> + +<p>"Well, there is one thing we can do," said +Alice, when they had advanced a few steps and +then retreated, not knowing whether it was better +to keep on or not.</p> + +<p>"And what is it?" asked Ruth. "If there's +any one thing to do in a case like this I want to +know it."</p> + +<p>"We can go over behind that rock and get a +little protection from the wind and snow," Alice +went on. "See, the snow has drifted on one side; +and the other is quite bare. That shows it affords +some shelter. Let's go over there."</p> + +<p>"Come on," agreed Ruth. She caught her +sister's arm in a firmer grasp, and the two girls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +plowed their way through the snow. They had, +heretofore, been on a sort of path, that had been +formed over the crust. The girls had on their +snowshoes or they would have scarcely been able +to progress. As it was the going was sufficiently +difficult.</p> + +<p>"Oh, wait a moment!" panted Ruth, half way +to the sheltering rock.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Alice, quickly. +"Are you ill?"</p> + +<p>"No, don't worry about me, dear. I'm only—out +of breath!"</p> + +<p>"I positively believe you're getting stout!" +laughed Alice, and Ruth was glad that she could +laugh, even in the face of impending danger. +"You must take more exercise," she went on.</p> + +<p>"I'm getting plenty of it now," observed Ruth. +"Oh, but it is hard going in this snow!"</p> + +<p>Together they struggled on, and finally reached +the rock. As Alice had surmised, the big boulder +did give them shelter, and they were grateful for +it, as they were quite exhausted by their battle +with the storm.</p> + +<p>"What a relief!" sighed Alice, as she leaned +back against the big stone.</p> + +<p>"Oh, isn't it!" agreed Ruth. "But, Alice, +if we are so played out by that little trip, how are +we ever going to get back to Elk Lodge?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't know, dear," was the hesitating answer. +"But we must get back. Maybe the snow +will stop after a little, and we can see our way. +That is really all we need—to see the path. I'm +sure I've been out in worse storms than this."</p> + +<p>"It is bad enough," responded Ruth, apprehensively. +"See how it snows!"</p> + +<p>Indeed the white flakes were coming down +with increased violence, and the wind swept and +howled about the rock with a melancholy sound. +The girls huddled close together.</p> + +<p>"Can you ever forgive me for bringing you out +in such weather as this?" begged Alice, self-reproachfully.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't your fault at all, dear," Ruth reassured +her and her arms went about her sister in +a loving embrace. "I wanted to come. Neither +of us knew this storm would make us get lost."</p> + +<p>Alice said nothing for a moment. She was +busy arranging a scarf more tightly about her +throat, for she felt the flakes blowing and sifting +on her, and did not want to take cold. The girls +were warmly dressed, which was in their favor.</p> + +<p>For five or ten minutes they remained under +the lee of the rock, not knowing what to do. +They realized, though neither wanted to mention +it to the other, that they could not remain there +very long. Night would settle down, sooner or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +later, and they could not remain out without +shelter. Yet where could they go?</p> + +<p>"If it would only stop!" cried Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Yes, or if someone from Elk Lodge would +come after us!" added Alice.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure they will!" cried Ruth, catching at +this slender hope. "Oh, Alice, I'm sure they'll +come."</p> + +<p>"And so am I, as far as that is concerned," +agreed Alice. "The only trouble is they will not +know where to come. Don't you see?"</p> + +<p>"But they know where we were going—you +mentioned it to daddy."</p> + +<p>"I know, but don't you understand, my dear, +we're not where we said we would go. We're +lost—we're off the path. If it was only a question +of someone from the Lodge following the +proper path it would be all right. But we're far +from it, and they will have no idea where to +search for us."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't they trail us with—with bloodhounds?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't believe it will get as desperate as +that. Not that there are any bloodhounds at Elk +Lodge. But there are some hunting dogs, and I +presume they might be able to follow our trail. +Won't it seem odd to be trailed by dogs? Just as +if we were <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'fugutive'">fugitive</ins> slaves!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't care how they trail us, as long as we +get back to Elk Lodge!" and there was a sob in +Ruth's voice.</p> + +<p>The next moment Alice, on whose shoulder +Ruth had laid her head, uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what is it?" asked the elder girl. "Do +you see someone? Are they coming for us?"</p> + +<p>"No, but the snow is stopping, and I can see a +house—two of them, in fact."</p> + +<p>"A house! Good! Is it far off?"</p> + +<p>"No, not far. Come on, I believe we can reach +it."</p> + +<p>As Alice had said, the snow had ceased falling +almost as suddenly as it had set in, and this gave +the girls a clear view. They had made a little +turn from their original direction in getting to the +rock, and they had a view down in a little glade. +There, as Alice had said, nestled two houses; or, +rather log cabins. One was of large size, and +the other smaller.</p> + +<p>"Let's go there!" suggested Alice. "We can +get shelter, and perhaps there is someone in one +of the cabins who will take us to Elk Lodge. We +can offer to pay him."</p> + +<p>"They wouldn't want it," declared Ruth. +"But come on. We mustn't lose any time, for +the snow may set in again at any moment. We +must get there while we can see."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<p>The wind, too, had died out somewhat, so that +it was comparatively easy travelling now. Together +the girls made their way over the snow +toward the smaller of the two cabins, that being +the nearer.</p> + +<p>They reached it, struggling, panting and out +of breath, and after waiting a moment, to allow +their laboring hearts to quiet down, that they +might speak less brokenly, Alice knocked at the +door. There was no answer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, suppose they should not be home?" cried +Ruth.</p> + +<p>"That seems to be the case," spoke Alice, as +she knocked again, without result.</p> + +<p>"What shall we do—go to the other cabin?" +asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Let's see if this one is open," proposed Alice. +"They may be hospitable enough to have left +the door unlocked."</p> + +<p>As she spoke she tried the latch. Somewhat +to her surprise the door did open, and then to +the astonishment of both girls they found themselves +in an unoccupied cabin.</p> + +<p>"Oh dear!" cried Ruth. "What a disappointment!"</p> + +<p>"Isn't it?" agreed Alice. "Well, we can try +the other."</p> + +<p>They stood for a moment in the main room of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +the small cabin, and looked about. There was +nothing in it save a few boxes.</p> + +<p>"We could make a fire—I have matches, and +we could break up the boxes on the hearth," said +Alice. "Shall we?"</p> + +<p>"No, let's go to the other cabin. I'm sure +someone will be there," suggested her sister.</p> + +<p>"Come on!"</p> + +<p>They stepped to the door, but at that instant +the snow began again, harder than before.</p> + +<p>"No use!" cried Alice. "We're doomed to +stay here, I guess."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a shelter, at any rate," sighed +Ruth. She was not frightened now.</p> + +<p>"And there's another good thing," went on +Alice. "These cabins are a definite place. If +a searching party starts out for us Mr. Macksey +will be sure to think about these, and look here +for us. I think we are all right now."</p> + +<p>"We're better off, at any rate," observed Ruth. +"I believe we might make a fire, Alice."</p> + +<p>"That's what I say."</p> + +<p>They had taken off their snowshoes, and +now, by stamping and kicking at the boxes, they +managed to break them up into kindling wood. +Soon a little blaze was crackling on the hearth. +The warmth was grateful to the chilled girls.</p> + +<p>They stood before it toasting their cold hands,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +and then, when Ruth went to the window to +look out, she called:</p> + +<p>"It's stopped snowing again. Don't you think +we'd better run to the other cabin while we have +the chance?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose it would be wise," agreed Alice. +"We really ought to start for Elk Lodge, and +we could if we had a guide. Come on."</p> + +<p>Together they started for the larger cabin, +but when half way to it they saw three men coming +out. The men had guns over their shoulders, +and they headed down the trail, away from the +girls.</p> + +<p>Not before, however, the two sisters had a good +view of the features of the trio. And instantly +the same thought came to both.</p> + +<p>"Did you see who one of those men was?" +gasped Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is he! And those are the same two +men who were with him before," answered Alice.</p> + +<p>"Dan Merley—the man who is going to sue +daddy for that five hundred dollars!" went on +Ruth, clasping her hands.</p> + +<p>"And with him are the two men who were +present when the street car accident happened +in New York—Fripp and Jagle. They are the +hunters who have been annoying Mr. Macksey."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what shall we do?" asked Ruth. "We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +can't appeal to them for help, not after the way +Merley behaved to us."</p> + +<p>"Of course not! Oh, isn't it provoking? Just +as we see help we can't avail ourselves of it. The +men are getting farther and farther away," Alice +went on. "If we are going to appeal to them +we must be quick about it."</p> + +<p>"Don't call to them!" exclaimed Ruth. "It +might be dangerous. They haven't noticed us—let +them go. But Alice, did you see how Merley +seems to have recovered from his accident? He +walks as well as the others."</p> + +<p>"Yes, so he does. I'm glad they didn't see +us. But I have a plan. There may be other +persons in the cabin. When the three men are +out of sight, and they will be in the woods in +a little while, we can go and ask help of whoever +is left in the cabin."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Ruth, and they waited, going +back to the small cabin. "I remember now," +Ruth added after a pause, "that man who was in +the bushes the time of the coasting race was +Fripp. I knew I had seen him somewhere before, +but I could not recall him then."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>THE PLAN OF RUSS</h3> + + +<p>The three men, with their guns on their +shoulders, passed out of sight into a clump of +woodland.</p> + +<p>"Now's our chance," said Alice. "We'll slip +over to the other cabin, and see if we can get +help. These men are evidently up here on a +hunting trip, and they may have a man cook, or +some sort of help in the cabin. Whoever it is +can't refuse to at least set us on the right road. +We don't need to mention that Mr. Merley is +going to sue our father."</p> + +<p>"I should say not," agreed Ruth. "Oh, that +horrid man! I never want to see him again. +But isn't it queer how soon he recovered from +his injury?"</p> + +<p>"Rather odd. We must tell daddy about it +when we get back."</p> + +<p>"If we ever do," sighed the older girl.</p> + +<p>"If we ever do?" repeated Alice. "Why of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +course we'll get back. I don't believe it is going +to storm any more."</p> + +<p>"I hope not."</p> + +<p>On their snowshoes the moving picture girls +made their way to the second cabin. But again +disappointment awaited them, for there was no +answer to their repeated knocks.</p> + +<p>"No one at home," spoke Alice. "Shall we +try to go in?"</p> + +<p>"It would do no good," Ruth decided. "If +it is shelter we want we can get it at the other +cabin. And as there is no one at home here +we can't ask our way. Besides, those men might +come back unexpectedly, and I wouldn't have +Merley and his two companions find us in their +cabin for anything!"</p> + +<p>"Neither would I. That Merley would be +mean enough," Alice declared, "to charge us +rent, and add that to the five hundred dollars +he is going to make daddy pay."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alice! What queer ideas you have. +But, dear, we mustn't linger here. I wonder if +it would do to follow those men?"</p> + +<p>"Follow them? What in the world for?"</p> + +<p>"Why they seem to have taken some sort of +a trail, and it may lead out to a road that will +take us to Elk Lodge."</p> + +<p>"It isn't very likely," Alice declared. "I'm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +sure I know the general direction in which Elk +Lodge lies, and it's just opposite from where +those men went. I think, now, that the storm has +stopped, that we can get back on the path."</p> + +<p>"Then, for goodness sakes, let's try!" proposed +Ruth. "It seems to be getting darker. +Oh, if they would only come for us!"</p> + +<p>"Let us try to help ourselves first," counseled +Alice.</p> + +<p>The girls retraced their steps, going back toward +the smaller cabin. They stopped in for a +moment to see that the blaze they had kindled on +the hearth was out, for they did not want a +chance spark to set fire to the place. But the +embers were cold and dead, for the wood had +been light, and there was not much of it.</p> + +<p>Then gliding over the crust on their snowshoes, +Ruth and Alice got back to the sheltering +rock.</p> + +<p>"Let me look about a bit," Alice requested. +"I think I can pick up the trail again. If I +could only get back to the point where we got off +from I would be all right."</p> + +<p>She walked about a little and then, passing +through a small clump of trees, while Ruth remained +at the rock, Alice suddenly gave a joyful +cry.</p> + +<p>"I've found it!" she called. "Come on,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +Ruth. It's all right. I'm on the proper path +now."</p> + +<p>Ruth hurried to join her sister, and confirmed +the good news. They recognized the path by +which they had come, and soon they were traveling +along it, certain, now, that they were headed +for Elk Lodge.</p> + +<p>And their adventures seemed to be over for +that day at least, for, on covering about three-quarters +of a mile they were delighted to see, +hurrying toward them, Russ and Paul.</p> + +<p>"There are the boys!" cried Alice.</p> + +<p>"And I was never more glad to see anyone in +all my life!" exclaimed Ruth.</p> + +<p>"We're not lost now, and don't really need +them," said Alice.</p> + +<p>"Well, don't tell them that—especially after +they have been so good as to come for us," advised +Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Silly! Of course I won't!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you two seem to have the oddest faculty +for getting into trouble!" cried Russ as he +and Paul reached the girls. "The whole Lodge +is worried to death about you, and we're all out +searching for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's too bad we gave so much trouble," +responded Ruth, contritely. "But we couldn't +help it. We were lost in the storm."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We thought that likely," Paul said. "Your +father is quite worried."</p> + +<p>"Is he out searching, too?" Alice asked.</p> + +<p>"No, his throat troubles him," the young actor +replied. "But every other man at the Lodge is. +Mr. Macksey told us to come this way, and if we +didn't locate you we were to meet him at some +place where there are two cabins."</p> + +<p>"We just came from there," Ruth said, "and +we had the oddest adventure. I'll tell you about +it when we get back. We tried to get a guide to +show us the path, but as it happened we didn't +need one. Oh, I believe it's snowing again!"</p> + +<p>Some white flakes were sifting down.</p> + +<p>"It's only a little flurry," decided Paul. "And +it won't matter, for the path back is very plain +now. But what happened?"</p> + +<p>The girls told him, and when he heard that +Merley was in the neighborhood, and apparently +uninjured, Russ said:</p> + +<p>"I always thought that fellow was a faker. +I'd like to know what his game was."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it is a game?" asked Alice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I think it's more of a game than +the game they are after up here. I think they're +hatching some plot."</p> + +<p>They arrived at Elk Lodge a little later, and +leaving the girls with their father, Russ and Paul<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +went after the other searchers, to tell them that +the lost ones were found.</p> + +<p>"You must not go away alone again," cautioned +Mr. DeVere to his daughters, when all the +searchers had returned, and there was a joyful +reunion in the big living room.</p> + +<p>"We won't!" promised Alice. "I was really +a bit frightened this time."</p> + +<p>"A <i>bit</i> frightened!" cried Ruth. "I was awfully +scared! I could see us both frozen stiff +under the snow, and the dogs nosing us out as +they do travelers in the Alps."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad that didn't happen," laughed Russ. +"For I suppose if it had Mr. Pertell would have +insisted on having a moving picture of it, and I +would have been too prostrated with grief to be +able to work the camera."</p> + +<p>"Well, we're all right now," declared Alice. +"And such an appetite as I have!"</p> + +<p>"Did you tell your father about Dan Merley?" +asked Russ.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" exclaimed Ruth. "Listen Daddy, +whom do you think we saw?"</p> + +<p>"Not Dan Merley up here?" cried the actor.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he was with two other men—those who +were with him when he was hurt by the street +car."</p> + +<p>"Dan Merley up here?" mused Mr. DeVere.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +"I wonder what he can want? Can he be going +to make trouble for me?"</p> + +<p>"We won't let him, Daddy!" cried Alice. "If +he walks over here to ask for that five hundred +dollars again, I'll——"</p> + +<p>"You say he was walking around?" cried Mr. +DeVere.</p> + +<p>"Yes, on snowshoes," answered Ruth. "He +was walking as well as anyone."</p> + +<p>"And he was supposed to be seriously hurt!" +murmured the actor. "Where is that paper?" +and he looked about him.</p> + +<p>"What paper?" asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>"That New York paper I was just reading. +There is something in it I want to show you. I +begin to see through this."</p> + +<p>The journal was found, and Mr. DeVere +glanced through it rapidly, looking for some item. +Russ and the two girls watched him curiously.</p> + +<p>"Here it is!" cried the actor. "It is headed +'Brings Damage Suit for Ten Thousand Dollars.' +Listen, I'll just give you the main facts. It says +Dan Merley had started an action in one of the +courts demanding ten thousand dollars' damages +for being hurt by a street car. Merley claims he +will never be able to walk again, because his back +is permanently hurt. And yet you saw him walking?" +he appealed to the two girls.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We certainly saw him," declared Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Then that is a bogus damage suit. He isn't +hurt at all. The court should know of this, and +so should the street car company. I shall write +to them!"</p> + +<p>"Wait!" cried Russ. "I have a better idea."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Mr. DeVere.</p> + +<p>"I'll get some moving pictures of him," went +on the young operator. "I'll take a film, showing +him tramping around, hunting, and when that +is shown to the street car company's lawyer I +guess that will put an end to Mr. Merley's suit. +I'll film the faker!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>THE PROOF ON THE FILM</h3> + + +<p>Enthusiastic over his new idea, Russ gazed +triumphantly at Mr. DeVere and the two girls. +They did not seem to comprehend.</p> + +<p>"What—what was that you said?" asked Mr. +DeVere.</p> + +<p>"I said I was going to make a moving picture +of that faker," repeated Russ. "Excuse that +word, but it's the only one that fits."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he really is a faker and cheat," agreed +the actor. "And, Russ, your idea is most excellent. +It will be the best kind of evidence against +the scoundrel, and evidence that can not be controverted."</p> + +<p>"That's my idea," went on the young operator. +"Some of these accident fakers are so clever that +they fool the doctors."</p> + +<p>"Do they really make a business of it?" asked +Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Indeed they do," Russ answered. "Some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>times +a gang of men, who don't like to work for +a living, plan to have a series of accidents. They +decide on who shall be 'hurt,' and where. Then +they get their witnesses, who will testify to anything +as long as they get paid for it. They hire +rascally lawyers, too. Sometimes they have fake +accidents happen to their wagons or automobiles +instead of themselves. And more than once conductors +or motormen of cars have been in with the +rascals."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't seem possible!" protested Alice.</p> + +<p>"It is though," her father assured her. "I +read in a newspaper the other day how two fakers +were found out and arrested. But they had secured +a large sum in damages, so I presume they +figured that it paid them. I knew Dan Merley +was an unprincipled man, but I did not believe he +was an accident swindler. But you can stop him, +Russ."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how you are going to do it," remarked +Alice. "I mean, I don't see that Dan +Merley will let you take a moving picture of him, +to show to the court, proving that he is a +swindler."</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose he would—if he knew it," +laughed Russ. "But I don't propose to let him +see me filming him. I've got to do it on the sly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +and it isn't going to be very easy. But I think I +can manage it."</p> + +<p>"I wish we could help you," said Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you can," the young moving picture +operator answered. "I'll have to make some +plans. But we've got a big day ahead of us to-morrow, +and I can't do it then. I'll have to wait."</p> + +<p>"Do you think I had better write to the court, +and to the lawyers of the street car company?" +asked Mr. DeVere. "Your plan might fail, +Russ."</p> + +<p>"Well, of course it might, that's a fact. But +there is time enough. I'd like to try my way +first, though, for it would be conclusive proof. +If you sent word to the lawyers, and they sent a +witness up here to get his evidence by eyesight, +Merley might hear of it in some way and fool +them. He might pretend to be lame again, if he +knew he was being watched.</p> + +<p>"Then, too, he could bring his own witnesses +to prove that he was lame and unable to walk. +It would be a case of which witnesses the court +and jury would believe.</p> + +<p>"But if I get the proof on the film—you can't +go back of that. Just imagine, working a moving +picture machine in one of the courts!" and he +laughed at the idea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps you won't have to go to that end," +suggested Ruth.</p> + +<p>"No, we may be able to give Merley a hint that +he had better not keep on with the suit," Mr. +DeVere said. "Well, Russ, I wish you luck."</p> + +<p>A little later all the members of the company +had heard of Russ's plan and Mr. Pertell said +that as soon as the big drama was finished Russ +could have as much time as he wanted to try and +get a moving picture film of Merley.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to go over to that cabin, and sort of +size up the situation," Russ decided. "I want to +get the lay of the land, and pick out the best spot +to plant my camera. I suppose it will have to be +behind a clump of bushes."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! I know the very place for you!" +cried Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Where?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"In the second, or small cabin. You can hide +yourself there and focus your camera through the +window. Then you can film him without him +seeing you."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Russ. "That will be the very +thing!"</p> + +<p>As Russ had said, the next day was a very busy +one for him, and all the members of the company. +Several important scenes in the big drama were +made. A few of them were interiors, in the barn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +or in the living room of Elk Lodge, and for this +the players were thankful, for the weather had +turned cold, and it was disagreeable outdoors.</p> + +<p>Still, some snow scenes were needed, and the +work had to go on. Russ had one of his hands +slightly frost-bitten using it without a glove to +make some adjustments to his camera, and the tips +of Mr. Sneed's ears were nipped with the cold.</p> + +<p>This happened when the actor was doing a little +bit which called for him to shovel a supposedly +lost and frozen person out of a snow bank. Of +course a "dummy" was put under the snow, and +the real person, (in this case Mr. Bunn,) acted up +to the time of the snow burial. Then a clever substitution +was made and the film was exposed again. +This is often done to get trick pictures.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sneed was shoveling away at the snow +bank. His ears had been very cold, but suddenly +seemed to have lost all feeling. He was rather +surprised, then, when the act was over, to have Mr. +Switzer rush up to him with a handful of snow +and hold some over each ear.</p> + +<p>"Here! Quit that! What do you mean?" +cried the grouchy actor.</p> + +<p>"I got to do it alretty yet!" exclaimed the German.</p> + +<p>"Quit it! Stop it!"</p> + +<p>"No, I stops not until I haf der cold drawed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +out of your ears. They are frosted, mine dear +chap, und dis is der only vay to make dem proper. +I know, I have been in der Far North."</p> + +<p>"That's right—it's the best way. Hold snow +on your frosted ears or nose, whatever it happens +to be," declared Mr. Pertell. "You can thank Mr. +Switzer for saving you a lot of trouble, Mr. +Sneed."</p> + +<p>"Humph! It's a funny thing to be thankful +for—because someone washes your face with +snow," declared the grouchy actor.</p> + +<p>It was two days later before Russ had time to +carry out his plan of "filming the faker," as he +referred to it. Then he and Paul, with Ruth and +Alice, went to the two cabins. Russ took along a +special moving picture camera made for fast work, +and one with a <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'lense'">lens</ins> that admitted of a long +focus.</p> + +<p>"For Merley may not come very near the small +cabin," the young moving picture operator said. +"I may have to get him a long way off. But I +don't want to miss him."</p> + +<p>When the four were in the vicinity of the place +they proceeded cautiously, for they did not want +to expose themselves. From a screen of bushes +Russ took an observation, and announced that the +coast was clear.</p> + +<p>"We'll slip into the cabin, and stay there as long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +as we can," Russ said, and they ran across an +open space. As far as they could tell they were +not observed.</p> + +<p>Two hours passed, and Russ was beginning to +be afraid his plan would be a failure, for that day +at least.</p> + +<p>"But I'll come back again to-morrow, and the +next day—until I film that faker!" he exclaimed. +"I'm going to expose him!"</p> + +<p>"Look!" exclaimed Paul, who was standing +near a window. "There are two men over near +that other cabin. Is one of them Merley?"</p> + +<p>Russ and Alice reached the window at the same +time.</p> + +<p>"There he is!" Alice cried.</p> + +<p>"And walking as well as any man," Russ exclaimed. +"Here's where I get him!"</p> + +<p>The moving picture camera was brought to the +casement, and a moment later Russ began clicking +away at it. He had it focused on Merley who, +with Fripp, was walking about the other cabin. +Merley walked without the suspicion of a limp, +and a little later he took a shovel, and began clearing +snow away from some of the walks.</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Russ. "Better and better! If +he can do such strenuous work as that he isn't +hurt. This cooks your goose, Dan Merley!"</p> + +<p>He continued to grind away, getting the proof<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +of the fellow's criminality on the sensitive film.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're coming over this way!" exclaimed +Ruth. "What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," declared Russ, calmly. "The +nearer he comes the better pictures I can get. +Don't be afraid. Paul and I are here."</p> + +<p>Merley had indeed started toward the smaller +cabin. He was walking rapidly and well, and Russ +got some excellent pictures. Then Fripp, who remained +at the larger cabin, called to his companion, +who turned back for some reason.</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Russ. "I've got him going and +coming! Oh, this will be great!"</p> + +<p>He continued to grind away at the film, and +soon had sufficient pictures.</p> + +<p>"But how are we going to get away without +them seeing us?" asked Alice.</p> + +<p>"We can wait until dark," Russ said.</p> + +<p>But there was no need. A little later the two +men went into the large cabin, and presently came +out with their guns. There was no sign of Jagle. +But Merley and Fripp started for the woods, and +as soon as they were out of sight the four emerged +from the small cabin, Russ carrying his camera +that now contained the proof on the film. They +hurried back to Elk Lodge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>THE MOVING PICTURE</h3> + + +<p>The last drama of the backwoods had been +filmed. The unexposed reels were sent in to New +York, together with the one made of Dan Merley, +showing a supposedly injured man walking vigorously +about.</p> + +<p>"And now good-bye to Elk Lodge," sighed +Alice, when they were packing up to go back to +New York. "I'm sorry to leave it."</p> + +<p>"So am I!" added Ruth. "We have had some +lovely times here."</p> + +<p>"And strenuous ones, too," spoke Alice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but won't I be glad to see dear old +Broadway again!" cried Miss Pennington, affectedly.</p> + +<p>"And won't I!" sighed Miss Dixon. "I want +to see the sights."</p> + +<p>"As if there weren't finer ones here than any +in New York!" murmured Alice.</p> + +<p>"Everyone to their notion, my dear," remarked +Miss Pennington, in a pert manner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p>The last days at Elk Lodge were ones of delight. +For the weather was good, and there was +plenty of snow, which made fine coasting. There +was also skating, with a number of straw rides.</p> + +<p>The members of the picture company gave +themselves up to pleasure, and Russ put away his +cameras and joined in the fun with the others.</p> + +<p>"I don't care what happens now!" he cried. +"I don't have to film it."</p> + +<p>Paul and Russ, with the two girls, paid another +visit to the vicinity of the two cabins. There was +a deserted look about the larger one, and a cautious +examination revealed the fact that the occupants +had gone.</p> + +<p>"I suppose he has returned to New York to +prosecute his suit against the street car company," +said Ruth.</p> + +<p>"And also his one against daddy," added Alice.</p> + +<p>Three days later the moving picture company +returned to New York.</p> + +<p>"And what are the next plans—I mean what +sort of pictures are you going to make next?" +asked Mr. DeVere of Mr. Pertell.</p> + +<p>"I haven't quite made up my mind. I'll let you +all know a little later," the manager answered.</p> + +<p>"I hope it isn't any more snow and ice," remarked +Mr. Bunn.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pertell only smiled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. DeVere and his daughters went to their +apartment, Russ accompanying them. His mother +and brother were glad, not only to see the young +operator but the DeVere family as well.</p> + +<p>The next day Mr. DeVere received a call from +a lawyer who said he represented Dan Merley.</p> + +<p>"I have come to see if you are ready to pay +that five hundred dollars before we go to court, +Mr. DeVere," the lawyer said, stiffly.</p> + +<p>"I haven't got it," answered the actor.</p> + +<p>"Very well then, we shall sue and you will +have to pay heavy costs and fees, in addition to +the principal."</p> + +<p>Mr. DeVere was very much worried, and spoke +of the matter to Russ. The young operator +laughed.</p> + +<p>"Dan Merley will never collect that money," +he said.</p> + +<p>"What makes you think so?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think—I know. Give me that lawyer's +address, and then don't do anything until you hear +from me."</p> + +<p>It was two days later that Russ said to the +actor:</p> + +<p>"Can you make it convenient to be at our film +studio this evening?"</p> + +<p>"I think so—why?" asked Mr. DeVere.</p> + +<p>"You'll see when you get there."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> + +<p>"May we come?" asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Surely," Russ answered. "I think you'll enjoy +it, too!"</p> + +<p>Rather mystified, but somehow suspecting what +was afoot, the two girls accompanied their father +to the studio at the appointed hour. Russ met +them and took them into the room where the films +were first shown after being prepared for the projector. +It was a sort of testing room.</p> + +<p>"I think you have met this gentleman before," +said Russ, as he nodded at one sitting in a corner. +It was Dan Merley's lawyer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I guess Mr. DeVere knows me," returned +the latter. "I understand you have come +here for a settlement," he went on.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Russ, smiling.</p> + +<p>"A—a settlement!" murmured Mr. DeVere. +"I—I am not prepared to settle. I have not the +money!"</p> + +<p>"You don't need the money," declared Russ. +"You have brought Mr. DeVere's promissory +note with you; have you not?" he asked the +lawyer.</p> + +<p>"I brought it, at your request," was the answer. +"But I tell you, here and now, that it will not be +surrendered until the five hundred dollars is paid."</p> + +<p>"Oh yes," said Russ gently, "I think it will. +Look! Ready!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke the room was suddenly darkened,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +and then, on the big white screen, there sprang +into prominence life-size moving pictures of Dan +Merley, showing him walking about the backwoods +cabin, and shoveling snow. The likeness +was perfect.</p> + +<p>"I—er—I—what does this mean?" stammered +the lawyer, springing to his feet.</p> + +<p>"It means that Dan Merley is a faker!" cried +Russ, as the lights were turned up again, and Mr. +Pertell came up from the booth where he had been +working the moving picture machine.</p> + +<p>"It means that he is a faker when he says he +was injured by the street car," cried Russ, "and +we're going to show these pictures in court if he +persists in the suit. And it means he's a faker +when he says Mr. DeVere owes him five hundred +dollars. It means he's a faker from beginning +to end! We've got the proof on the film!" and +his voice rang out.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Russ!" cried Ruth, and she clasped his +hand in delight.</p> + +<p>"I—er—I—" stammered Mr. DeVere as he +sank into a chair.</p> + +<p>"Daddy, you won't have to pay!" exclaimed +Alice, joyfully.</p> + +<p>"How about that, Mr. Black?" asked Russ of +the lawyer. "Do you think your client will go +on with the street car suit?"</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear young man, in view of what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +you have shown me, I—er—I think not. In fact +I know not." The lawyer was beaten and he +realized it.</p> + +<p>"And about Mr. DeVere's note?" asked Russ.</p> + +<p>The lawyer took out his pocketbook.</p> + +<p>"Here is the note," he muttered. "You +have beaten us. I presume if we drop both +suits that you will not show these pictures in +court?"</p> + +<p>"It won't be necessary," said Russ. "If the +suits are withdrawn the pictures will not be +shown. But they will be kept—for future reference," +he added significantly.</p> + +<p>"I understand," <ins title="Transcriber's Note: this word unclear in the original">spoke</ins> the lawyer. "You are +a very clever young man."</p> + +<p>"Oh, the young ladies helped me," laughed +Russ.</p> + +<p>"Good-night," said the lawyer, bowing himself +out.</p> + +<p>"There you are, Mr. DeVere!" cried Russ, as +they were on their way from the studio. "You'd +better destroy that note. It's the only evidence +Merley had, and now you have it back. Tear it +up—burn it!"</p> + +<p>"I will indeed! I never can thank you enough +for securing it for me. Those moving pictures +were a clever idea."</p> + +<p>The next day formal notice was sent to Mr. +DeVere that the suit against him had been with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>drawn, +and Merley had to pay all advance court +charges. The actor would not again be made to +pay the five hundred dollars. The suit against the +street car company was also taken out of court. +And Dan Merley and his confederates disappeared +for a time. It seems that Merley went to the +woods to hunt as a sort of relief from having to +pose all the while in New York as an injured man. +He felt at home up in that locality, having been +there many times before.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mr. Pertell to Mr. DeVere and +the girls one day, when he had called to see them, +"I suppose you are ready for more camera work +by this time?"</p> + +<p>"What now?" asked Ruth. "Can't you give +us something different from what we have been +having?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I can," was his answer. "How +would you like to go to Florida?"</p> + +<p>"Florida!" the girls cried together. "Oh, how +lovely."</p> + +<p>"That's answer enough," said the manager. +"We leave in a week!"</p> + +<p>"I wonder what will happen down there?" +asked Alice.</p> + +<p>And my readers may learn by perusing the next +volume of this series, to be entitled "The Moving +Picture Girls Under the Palms; Or, Lost in the +Wilds of Florida."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It seems too good to be true," spoke Alice that +night, as she and Ruth were talking over what +dresses they would take.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't it! Oh, I am just wild to go down +South!"</p> + +<p>"So am I. I'd like to know what part we're +going to."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you know those two girls we met in the +train. They were going somewhere near Lake +Kissimmee. We might meet them."</p> + +<p>"We might," answered Ruth sleepily. "Put +out the light, dear, and come to bed. We will +have some busy times, getting ready to go to +Florida."</p> + +<p>And thus we will take leave of the moving +picture girls.</p> + + +<p> </p> +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors corrected.</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. +Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOWBOUND***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 20347-h.txt or 20347-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/3/4/20347">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/3/4/20347</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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