fright." As for Mr. DeVere, he
was too much of a veteran actor to mind this. Besides, he had played
many parts before the camera now.

Mr. Pertell stood with watch in hand, timing the performance. For the
play must be gotten on a certain length of film, and if one scene ran
over its allotted time it might spoil the next one by curtailing the
action.

"Hurry a little with that," ordered the manager sharply, at a certain
point. "Don't 'screen' the letter too long, and skip part of that
leave-taking. That eats up far too much celluloid."

Accordingly some parts, not essential to the play, were "cut" to
shorten the time. Russ went on turning the crank, getting hundreds of
the tiny pictures that afterward would be magnified, and thrown on
the screen in dozens of moving picture playhouses, for the Comet
Company supplied a large "circuit."

"Now then, Mr. DeVere, it's time for you to come on," the manager
said. "And then your daughters."

"Oh, I know I'm going to be nervous!" murmured Ruth.

"No you won't," spoke Russ, encouragingly. She stood near him, and
flashed him a grateful look. "I'll be watching you," he said, "and if
I see anything wrong I'll stop in an instant, so we won't spoil any
film."

"That's good of you," she replied. "Come on, Alice."

"All right! Oh, I just know it's going to be splendid!" her sister
exclaimed. There was the flush of excitement on her cheeks, and
though she would not admit, Alice, too, was nervous. So much, she
felt, depended on this first real play--so much for herself and her
sister. It was thrilling to feel that they might be able to make a
comfortable living through the medium of the movies.

"All ready now, Russ, for this scene," called the manager, indicating
the one where Ruth and Alice were to appear. "Watch your register
closely."

"Yes, sir."

The play went on. Ruth took her part first, and the little drama was
enacted. Her father, who was in the scene with her, smiled
encouragement, and Russ nodded gaily as he continued to turn the
clicking camera.

"Now, Miss Alice!" called the manager. "Here's where you come in.
Come smiling!"

It was hardly necessary to tell Alice this, for she generally had a
smile on her face. Nor was it lacking this time.

She began her part, but in an instant the manager called:

"Wait. Hold on a minute!"

The clicking of the camera ceased instantly.

"Oh, have I done something wrong?" thought Alice, her heart beating
violently.