to hold the water for the farm
animals, making a mighty splash as the camera clicked.

Then came other scenes that, later, would be added to and made into a
short reel of "comics." Horse-play though it was, the manager knew
that it would at least round out a program, and cause roars of
delight from the children, who must be catered to as well as the
grown-ups.

"Well, I think that will do for the time being," said Mr. Pertell at
length. "You may go and get dry, Mr. Bunn, and, later, we will film
the original play, where you come to the farmhouse and do the
Shakespearean scenes."

"That will be a relief from this buffoonery," remarked the actor.
"But how am I to do it in--this?" and he held out the silk hat, now
much the worse for what it had gone through.

"Oh, I'll supply a new hat. Trot along and get dried out. I guess
you'll have to have your suit pressed. Possibly there is a tailor in
the village."

Mr. Bunn went off by himself, rather sulkily. Mr. Switzer was in high
good humor at the fun he had had with the hose.

"Good joke!" laughed Paul. Then he made his way to the side of Alice,
and made an engagement to walk to the village with her that evening.

"This is the barn I intend to burn in one of our big rural plays,"
said Mr. Pertell to Mr. DeVere, who, with his daughters, had strolled
out to the ancient structure.

"What sort of a scene will it be a part of?" asked the actor.

"A rescue. One of the young ladies--or possibly two of them--will be
saved from the burning barn. The play is not completed yet, but I
have that much of it worked out. Let us look at the interior and see
how it is suited to our needs."

As the little party entered they heard, off in one corner, a noise as
though someone was running across the sagging floor, which contained
many loose boards.

"Who is there?" called Mr. Pertell, suddenly, while Ruth and Alice
drew back, close to the side of their father.

There was no answer.

"I'm sure I heard someone," said Mr. Pertell.

"So did I," agreed Alice. "Perhaps it was a cow or a horse."

"No, the old barn is not in use," returned the manager. "I think we
had better tell Sandy----"

"What is it you want to tell me?" asked the young farmer himself, as
he appeared in the doorway.

"We heard someone in the barn," explained the manager. "We were
looking at it, to get ready for our moving picture play, and we
evidently surprised someone. Does anyone stay here?"

"No, and I've