od a moving picture camera, ready to be
operated by a pleasant-faced young man.

"Ready?" came in questioning tones from Mr. Pertell, the stage director,
as he looked sharply from one to the other.

A tall, well-built man, with iron-gray hair, nodded, but did not speak.

"Let her go, Russ!" Mr. Pertell exclaimed.

"Vait! Vait a minute!" called one of the actors, with a pronounced German
accent.

"Well, what's the matter now, Mr. Switzer?" asked the director, with a
touch of impatience.

"I haf forgotten der imbortant babers dot I haf to offer mine enemy in
dis play. I must have der babers."

"Gracious, I should say so!" said the manager. "Where's Pop Snooks?" and
he looked around for the property man, who had to produce on short notice
anything from a ten-ton safe to a hairpin.

"Hi, Pop!" called Mr. Pertell. "Make up a bundle of important,
legal-looking papers, with seals on. Mr. Switzer has to use 'em in this
play. I forgot to tell you."

"Have 'em for you right away!" cried the property man, and a little later
Mr. Switzer had his "babers."

"I guess we're all right now. Start up, Russ," ordered the stage
director, who was also the manager of the troupe.

"That was a mistake on the part of Mr. Pertell; wasn't it, Ruth?" asked
one of the young actresses--a pretty girl--of her sister, who stood near
her in the mimic scene.

"Yes, indeed, Alice. But it isn't often he makes one."

"No, indeed. Oh, we mustn't talk any more. I see him looking at us."

"Begin!" called the manager, sharply, and the play proceeded, while the
young moving picture operator clicked away at the handle of his camera,
the long strip of film moving behind the lens with a whirring sound, and
registering views of the pantomime of the actors and actresses at the
rate of sixteen a second.

The above was done several times a day in the New York studio of the
Comet Film Company, which was engaged in making moving pictures.

The play went on through the various acts. Only part of it was being
"filmed" now--the interior scenes. Later, others would be taken outdoors.

"Time out--hold your positions!" suddenly exclaimed the operator. "Film's
broken. I've got to mend it."

Everyone came to a standstill at that. In a few seconds the damage was
repaired, and the play went on. It was, in the main, a "parlor" drama,
and there were to be only a few outdoor scenes.

"That will do for the present," said Mr. Pertell. "You may all take a
rest now