e driven back to the place from which they had bolted
and Alice again took her place on the seat of the mowing machine,
while Russ worked the camera. This time everything went well, but
Sandy Apgar was near at hand, though out of sight of the camera, to
be ready to jump on the instant, if the horses showed any signs of
fright.

Paul Ardite, too, was on the watch, Ruth noticed. However, there was
no need of these precautions. The horses acted as though they had
never had any idea of bolting, and the film was finished.

Mr. DeVere looked grave when told of the accident, and after a moment
or two of thought remarked:

"I wonder if I had better let you girls keep on with this moving
picture work? It is much more dangerous than I supposed. I am worried
about you."

"You needn't be, Daddy dear!" exclaimed Alice, slipping her arm about
his neck. "Nothing has happened yet, and I'll be real careful. I
should be heartbroken if we had to give it up now. I just love the
work; don't you, Ruth?"

"Indeed I do; but twice lately, danger has come to you."

"Well, I'll have one more near-accident and then the 'hoodoo' will be
broken, as Mr. Sneed would say. Three times and out, you know the old
saying has it."

"Oh, Alice!" cried Ruth. "Do be sensible!"

"Can't, dear! I leave that to you. But, Daddy, you mustn't think of
taking us out of moving pictures. Why, some of the best and most
important of all the farm dramas are to come yet. There's the one
with the burning barn--I wouldn't miss that for anything! Please,
Daddy, let us stay. You want to; don't you, Ruth?"

"Oh, yes, of course. Only there seems to be so many dangers about a
farm. I used to think a country life was calm and peaceful, but
things happen here just as in a city."

"Indeed they do," laughed Alice, "only such different things. It's
quite exciting, I think. Mayn't we stay, Daddy?"

"Oh, I suppose so," he consented, rather grudgingly. "But take no
more chances."

"Oh, I didn't take the chances," laughed Alice. "The chances took
me."

During the next few days several farm scenes were filmed by Russ, and
a number of partly finished plays were completed, the reels being
sent to New York for development. Word came back that everything was
a success, only a few minor errors being made, and these were easily
corrected. A few scenes had to be done over.

"But I'm glad it wasn't the one with the hose," said Mr. Bunn, with a
sigh. "Really I'd never go through t