ul Ardite was talking to
Alice. Russ Dalwood had come in and had greeted Ruth and Alice, and
then, in response to an unseen gesture from Paul, had introduced him.
Both girls liked the young fellow, who seemed quite interested in
Alice.

"Are you going to play parts here?" asked Miss Dixon, with the
freemasonry of the theater, speaking without being introduced.

"Oh, no!" replied Ruth, quickly. "We just came to see my father."

"Maybe they think they're too good for the movies," sneered Pearl
Pennington, but only Russ heard her, and he glanced at her sharply.

"All ready for 'A Turn of the Card' now!" called Mr. Pertell, as Mr.
DeVere came out of his dressing room. "Is your camera all ready,
Russ?" for Russ had obtained a place with the film company, and had
given up his position in the little moving picture theatre.

"All ready," was the answer. "I've got a thousand-foot reel in."

"Well, I don't want this particular scene to run more than eighty
feet. Got to save most of the film for the bigger scenes. Now, watch
yourselves, ladies and gentlemen. This is going to be one of our best
yet, or I'm mistaken. Pop--where's Pop?"

"Here I am. What is it?"

"Get me a big armchair. I want Mr. DeVere to be sitting in that when
the adventuress comes in. Miss Pennington, you're the adventuress,
and I wish you'd look the part more."

"I'm doing the best I can."

"Well, fix your hair a little differently--a little more fluffy, you
know--I don't know what you call it."

"Oh, that's easily remedied," she laughed. "I'm ready now," and with
dexterous use of a side-comb she produced the desired result.

"Got that chair, Pop?" called the manager.

"Yep. Just as soon as I fix that fence for the rural scene."

"Yah! Py gracious, ve got t' haf our fence or dot love scene mit der
evening-glory flowers vill be terrible!" insisted Mr. Switzer.

"All ready, now!" Mr. Pertell said, as the chair was placed in what
was to represent a parlor. Mr. DeVere took his seat, and the action
of the drama began. Ruth and Alice looked on with interest.

CHAPTER XII

THE PHOTO DRAMA

Mr. DeVere was an excellent actor. In his time he had played many
parts, so the necessary action, or "business," as it is called, was
not hard for him. He had learned readily what was expected of him,
and though it seemed rather odd to make his gestures, his exits and
entrances before nothing more than the eye of a camera, he soon had
become accustomed