XXI

OVERHEARD

The trip down the bay on the yacht was enjoyed by all, even though
much of the time was taken up in depicting scenes from the drama.
Sandy Apgar looked on curiously while the drama was being filmed, and
when Ruth and Alice were not acting they talked to the young farmer.

They found him good-natured and rather simple, yet with a fund of
homely wit and philosophy that stood him in good stead. He described
Beatonville to them, and the farm where he and his aged parents tried
to wrest a living from nature--that was none too kind.

"I've had quite a little vacation since I come to New York," Sandy
said, "though it did take quite a bit of money. I reckon pop, though,
will be disappointed that I can't bring back with me the promise of
some cash."

"Then you need money very badly?" asked Alice.

"Yes, Miss. And I guess there ain't many farmers but what do.
Leastways, I never met any that was millionaires. Though if the folks
back home could see me now they'd think I was one, sittin' here doin'
nothin'. It sure is great!"

The girls were called away to enact some of the scenes requiring
their presence, and when they came back they found Sandy in
conversation with the manager.

The girls saw Mr. Pertell give Sandy some bills, and when the young
farmer protested, the manager said:

"Now never mind that!! You saved me more than that in stopping that
runaway horse from spoiling my film and scene. You just take it, and
when I get a chance I'll run up to your farm and look it over.

"I haven't got all my plans made yet, but I'm thinking of making a
series of plays with an old-fashioned farm as a background. Is your
place old-fashioned?" he asked.

"That's what some city folks said once, when they stopped in their
automobile to get a glass of milk," replied Sandy. "We haven't any
electric lights, nor even a telephone. So I guess we're
old-fashioned, all right."

"I should say so," laughed Mr. Pertell. "Well, it may be the very
thing I need when I go out on the rural circuit with my company. If
it is, I could pay for the use of your farm, and it wouldn't
interfere with your getting in the crops. In fact, I would probably
want some scenes of harvesting, and the like."

"Well, come and we'll make you welcome," responded Sandy, warmly.
"Only I never expected to get paid for stopping a runaway horse," he
added as he looked at the roll of bills.

"Well, take it and have a good time during the rest of you