who came in from having
with his men, put away the horses, reported that the blizzard was
growing worse.

"It's a good thing we thought of changing the bobs and coming on," he
said. "Otherwise we might be there yet."

"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."

"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."

"I hope you do get it," complained Miss Pennington.

"Selfish thing!" whispered Alice. "All she wants is her paint!"

"Hush," cautioned Ruth. "She'll hear you!"

"I don't care," voiced her sister.

They talked of many things as they sat about the fire, and then Mr.
Pertell said:

"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."

"Is there skating about here?" asked Alice, who was very fond of the
sport.

"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."

"Oh, joy!" cried Alice.

"Save me the first skate," whispered Paul to her, and she nodded
acquiescence.

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.

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
flakes dashed against the pane as though knocking for admission.

"It's a terrible night," said Ruth, with a little shiver.

"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."

"Suppose we got snowed in?" asked Ruth, apprehensively.

"Then we'll dig our way out--simple answer. Oh dear!" and Alice yawned
luxuriously, if not politely, showing her pretty teeth.

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