figure on the best position to get the pictures, and the best
part of the roof to cut away."

"Who's going to be rescued?" asked Miss Dixon. "If it's all the same
to you I'd rather not be one of those characters."

"You won't be," replied Mr. Pertell, with a laugh. "I have cast Alice
and Ruth for that. There'll be a double rescue scene."

"Oh, I don't know that I can do it very well," said Ruth, quickly,
though she did not say she was afraid.

"You can do it all right," declared Mr. Pertell, confidently. "In
fact, you won't have to do anything, except allow yourself to be
carried down a ladder. You see, you and your sister will pretend to
be caught in the burning barn. The only way to get you out is through
the roof.

"Paul Ardite, as a farmer's son, goes up a ladder and chops a hole in
the roof. But the roof will be sawed away beforehand. You see, I want
no delay with you inside the burning structure. Then Paul carries you
down the ladder, and Mr. Sneed will rescue Alice.

"That will be fine!" cried Alice, in her lively manner. "I've always
wanted to be carried down a ladder. You won't mind; will you, Daddy?"
and she appealed to Mr. DeVere.

"Oh, I guess not, if the ladder is good and firm," he replied in his
husky voice.

"That's just the point; it won't be!" predicted Mr. Sneed in his
usually gloomy manner. "It's bound to break!"

"Comforting; isn't he?" laughed Alice. "I'm not afraid, Mr. Sneed."

"No, but I am," he went on. "I don't want that part, Mr. Pertell."

"You'll have to take it," said the manager, decidedly. "I have no
other one I can cast for the part."

"Can't you give it to Mr. Bunn?" asked the "grouch."

"Eh? What's that? Me carry someone from a burning building? Not
much!" exclaimed the tragic actor. "I resign right now."

"Well, I must say neither of you is very gallant," laughed Alice.
"Paul, I guess you'll have to rescue both of us!"

"I'd be pleased to do it!" he retorted, gaily.

"Oh, I suppose I can manage it," grumbled Mr. Sneed, fairly shamed
into taking the part.

"Good!" exclaimed the manager. "Mr. Bunn, you will be one of the
fire-fighters in the bucket brigade. You'll help pass the buckets of
water along to put out the fire."

"What? I become a country fireman?" demanded the tall-hatted actor.

"Certainly."

"I refuse! I will take no such part. I cannot lower myself to it."

"Very well," said Mr. Pertell, calmly. "You may resign, but you know
what it means--no m