nd Ruth were on their way home that evening. "Aren't you
crazy about it, sister mine?"

"Well, not exactly _crazy_, Alice. You do use such--er--such strong
expressions!"

"Well, I have strong feelings, I suppose."

"I know, but you must be more--more conservative."

"I know you were going to say 'lady-like,' but you didn't dare," laughed
Alice.

"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.

"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!"

She threw her arms about Ruth and attempted a few turns of the one-step
glide.

"Oh, stop! I'm slipping!" cried Ruth, for the sidewalk was icy. "Alice,
let me go!"

"Not until you take a few more steps! Now dip!"

"But, Alice! I'm going to fall! I know I am! There! I told you----"

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
a young man, who was passing, caught her, and saved her from a tumble.

"Oh!" she gasped, in confusion, as she recovered her balance.

"I beg your pardon," laughed the young fellow, with sparkling eyes.

"I should beg yours!" faltered Ruth, with a blush.

"It was all my fault--I wanted her to dance!" cried Alice, willing to
accept her share of the blame.

"Yes, this weather makes one feel like dancing," the young fellow
agreed, and then with a bow he passed on.

"Alice how could you?" cried Ruth.

"How could I what?"

"Make me do that."

"I didn't mean to. Really, he was nice; wasn't he? And say, did you
notice his eyes?"

"Oh, Alice, you are hopeless!" and Ruth had to laugh.

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 two
pretty girls, who made a most attractive picture.

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.

They were to go by train to Hampton Junction, the nearest station to
Deerfield. This last was onl