such a wonderful rider!"

"No, she hasn't left, but she threatens to; and I can't let her go, as
she's in some of the films and I'd have to switch the whole plot around
to explain why she didn't come in on the later scenes."

"Why is she going to leave?" Alice queried.

"Because she has been subjected to some annoyance on the part of a young
man who is one of the extras. You know the extras all live down in the
big bungalow I had built for them. I have a man and his wife to look
after them, and I try to make it as nearly like a happy family as I can.
But Miss Brown says she can't stay there any longer. This young man--a
decent enough chap he had seemed to me--is pestering her with his
attentions. He is quite in love with her, it seems."

"Oh, how romantic!" gurgled Miss Dixon.

"Miss Brown doesn't think so," said the manager dryly. "I don't know
what to do about it, for I have no place where I can put her up alone."

"Bring her here!" exclaimed Alice, impulsively.

"Indeed, no!" cried Miss Pennington. "We actresses were told that none
of the extra people would be quartered with us! If that had not been
agreed to I would not have come to this place."

"Nor I!" chimed in Miss Dixon. "We professionals are not to be classed
with these extras--and amateurs at that!"

"I know I did promise you regulars that you would be boarded by
yourselves," said Mr. Pertell, scratching his head in perplexity, "and I
don't blame you for not wanting, as a general run, to mix with the
others. For some of them, while they are decent enough, have a big idea
of their own importance. I wouldn't think of asking you to let one of
the extra men come here, but this young lady----"

"She is perfectly charming!" broke in Alice. "And she certainly can
ride!"

"She did seem very nice," murmured Ruth.

"Pooh! A vulgar cowgirl!" sneered Miss Dixon.

"There is a nice room near mine," went on Alice. "She could have that, I
should think. The Apgars don't use it, and it is certainly annoying to
be pestered by a young man!" and she looked with uptilted nose at Paul,
who said emphatically:

"Well, I like that!"

"If I could bring her here----" began Mr. Pertell.

"By all means!" exclaimed Ruth. "We will try to make her happy and
comfortable--if she is an amateur."

"She has no right to come here!" burst out Miss Dixon.

"No, indeed!" added Miss Pennington. "If she comes, I shall go! I will
not board in the same place with an amateur cowgir