, I should imagine," remarked Ruth, as
she gazed out of the window on the snowy scene.

"Does your company ever get as far as Florida?" asked Helen, for Ruth
and Alice had told her their profession.

"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."

"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."

"I hardly think we are going that far," observed Ruth. "But if we do we
shall look for you."

Ruth little realized then how prophetic her words were, nor how she and
Alice would actually "look" for the two girls.

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.

"I like them; don't you?" asked Alice, as she and Ruth rejoined their
friends.

"Indeed I do! They seem very sweet girls. I would like to meet them
again."

"So would I. Perhaps we shall. It would be lovely if we could go to
Florida, after our winter work is over. I'm going to ask Mr. Pertell if
there's any likelihood of our doing so."

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.

"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."

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.

"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?"

"I'm sure it will be, yes. Come now, have you everything?"

"Everything, and more too!"

"Daddy, are you all right?" went on Ruth, for she had gotten into the
habit, of late, of looking after her father, who seemed to lean on her
more and more a