etting that included a Western mining
cabin, and when he was refused by the manager he grew quite
indignant.

"You might as well try to introduce Macbeth in the clown act,"
declared Mr. Pertell.

Several times Ruth and Alice had expressed a desire to try a little
part in one of the dramas, but their father would not listen. At
last, however, their chance came.

Mr. DeVere had just completed his role in a difficult part, and Russ,
with his camera, had been shifted over to film another play, a few of
the scenes of which were laid in the studio, the others being set out
of doors.

"Well, aren't those two young ladies here yet?" asked Mr. Pertell,
coming out of his office, as he noted a delay.

"Not yet," answered Mrs. Maguire, who was to have a part in the act.
"They said they'd be early, too."

"That's always the way when you want someone in a hurry," stormed the
manager. "Here we are holding things up just because Miss Parker and
Miss Dengon aren't here. It wouldn't taken them five minutes to do
their parts, either."

"Well, I can't wait much longer," said the principal actor, who was
to take a part with the young ladies who were missing. "I've got to
get that train, you know, Pertell."

"Yes, I know!" was the answer, as the manager snapped shut his watch.
"I can't see what's keeping them. This gets on my nerves!"

"What is it?" asked Mr. DeVere, coming from his dressing room.
"Anything I can do to help you?"

"No, but two extra young girls I hired for certain parts are missing,
and this thing ought to go on. Harrison has an important engagement,
and can't wait either. I didn't count on this emergency, though
usually I allow for delays. If I only had two girls now--Say!" he
cried, as he looked over at Ruth and Alice. "They might do it--they
might fill in! How about it, Mr. DeVere; would you let them
substitute in this drama? It's a simple thing, and with two minutes'
coaching they can do it. That will let Harrison get his train, and I
can go on with the next scenes. Will you girls try?" he asked,
appealing to them.

CHAPTER XV

JEALOUSIES

Alice hesitated, but only a moment, and, while Ruth was looking at
her father, the younger girl exclaimed:

"Oh, do let us try! I don't know that we could do it, Mr. Pertell,
but let us try! Won't you, Daddy?"

Mr. DeVere looked troubled. For some time past he had been watching
the growing liking of his daughters for the moving pictures, and he
was in two