ed."

"But it means delay and expense," cried Ruth.

"How mean!" exploded Helen. "I'd like to do something to that Bilby."

"Have you money--plenty of money?" Ruth demanded of the Indian.

"I have money," said Wonota, touching the bosom of her blouse. "We do not
need much. We shall live quietly there until Mr. Hammond sends for us. We
will be faithful to you, Miss Ruth."

She turned, with more impulsiveness than she usually showed, and kissed
the white girl's cheek.

"You are so good to me!" she cried. "I will not forget all you have
taught me. And I will rehearse every day so to be perfect when Mr. Hooley
wants me again."

There was no way to stop her. Indeed, as Mr. Hammond had advised this
sudden move, Ruth knew she had no right to interfere. It was evident that
an emergency had arisen of which she, herself, knew nothing. In some way
the enemy had forced Mr. Hammond's hand. Totantora and his daughter were
in danger of being brought into court after all, and Mr. Hammond did not
wish that to come about.

The Indian girl stepped lightly into the canoe and picked up the extra
paddle. Her father leaped in after her, pushed the light craft away from
the rock, and seized his own paddle. In another moment the canoe shot
away from the island and off toward the broad expanse of the open St.
Lawrence.

Helen and Ruth stared after them--then at each other. Naturally it was
Helen who first regained her voice and gave expression to her amazement.

"What do you know about that?" she demanded.

"I--I don't know what to say," murmured Ruth.

"Oh! I know what to say, all right," said the disgusted Helen. "It's no
joke."

Ruth herself admitted it was nothing to laugh about. She saw difficulties
in the way of the completion of "The Long Lane's Turning" of which Helen
knew but little--or of which she did not think.

Ruth knew that there were scenes--some of them she had been studying with
Wonota this day--that could not be changed nor eliminated. Wonota must be
in them. No "double" could be used.

In the first place, the Indian girl's personality was distinct. It could
not easily be matched.

Ruth knew that, even at that time, one of the most popular screen
actresses, because of her inability longer to look the child, was using a
double for all her "close-ups" when she was forced to play those childish
parts that a hungry public of "movie fans" demanded.

Nothing like this would save "The Long Lane's Turning." The th