nd Alice did, and the latter could not avoid a thrust at
the scornful ones. To Ruth, in an unnecessarily loud voice, Alice
remarked:

"Do you remember that funny vaudeville stunt we used to laugh over when
we were children--'The Lady Bookseller?'"

"Yes, I remember it very well," answered Ruth. "What about it, Alice?"
for she did not catch her sister's drift.

"Why, I was just wondering how many years ago it was--ten, at least,
since it was popular, isn't it?"

"I believe so!"

"It's no such a thing!" came the indignant remonstrance from Miss
Pennington. It was in this sketch that she had made her "hit," and as
she now claimed several years less than the number to which she was
entitled, this sly reference to her age was not relished. "It was only
_six_ years ago that I starred in that," she went on.

"It seems much longer," said Alice, calmly. "We were quite little when
we saw you in that. You were so funny with your big feet----"

"Big feet! I had to wear shoes several sizes too large for me! It was in
the act. I--I----"

"They're stringing you--keep still!" whispered her chum, and with red
cheeks Miss Pennington subsided.

But Alice's remarks had the desired effect, and there were no more
references, for the present, directed at pretty Estelle. Miss Dixon and
Miss Pennington had a scene with Mr. Pertell, though, in which they
threatened to leave unless Estelle were sent back to the bungalow where
the other extra players boarded. But the manager remained firm, and the
two vaudeville actresses did not quit the company.

Hard work followed, and Estelle made some daring rides, once narrowly
escaping injury from the burning wad of a cannon, which went off
prematurely as she dashed past the very muzzle. But she put spurs to her
horse, who leaped over the spurt of fire and smoke. A few feet of film
were spoiled; but this was better than having an actor hurt.

Alice was sitting on the farmhouse porch one afternoon, waiting for
Estelle and Ruth to come down, for they were going for a walk together,
not being needed in the films. Estelle had been taken into companionship
by the two girls, who found her a very charming companion, though little
disposed to talk about herself.

Alice, who was reading a motion picture magazine, was startled by
hearing a voice saying, almost in her ear:

"Is Miss Brown in?"

"Oh!" and Alice looked up to see Maurice Whitlow smirking at her. He had
tiptoed up on the porch and was st