and in a
short time had finished and prepared to depart.

But she did not ask for one of the Farnsworth motor-cars; instead, she
walked swiftly out of the gate and down the street toward the trolley
line.

She waited for a car and when it came she got aboard and settled down
for a long ride.

At last she got out and a short walk brought her to her destination.
This was nothing more nor less than a great moving-picture studio.

There were a number of people about, all very busy and intent on what
they were doing.

Azalea seemed to be known, for two or three nodded pleasantly to her as
she went swiftly along to the office.

There she presented herself, and was received by Mr. Bixby, the man who
had one day called on her at Wistaria Porch.

"Well, Miss Thorpe," he said, briskly, "I suppose you heard the news.
Miss Frawley has broken her ankle--"

"Yes, I heard that," said Azalea, with a sympathetic look.

"And we think we want to put you in her place,--at least, for a trial."

"I'm glad to try," Azalea said, earnestly. "I'll do my best to make
good. But I can't bring the baby again."

"Oh, pshaw, yes you can,--just once more, anyway. But never mind that
now. We must see about your own part. You know there's danger, Miss
Thorpe?"

"Miss Frawley braved the danger," Azalea said, quietly.

"Yes, and Miss Frawley broke her ankle."

"I know; and I may break mine, but I'll take the chance. I am not
afraid,--though I well know that accidents may happen. What was Miss
Frawley doing?"

"It was in that climbing scene. You know she climbs the sheer precipice
of rock. There are hidden spikes driven into the rock for her feet, of
course, but she missed one, and fell."

"I'll be as careful as I can, but I may miss it, too."

"In that case, we'll have to get some one else," said Mr. Bixby,
coolly. "Are you ready for work?"

"Oh, yes," and then Azalea was shown to the dressing-rooms.

This was her secret. For years she had wanted to be a moving-picture
actress, and she had hoped before she left Arizona for New York that she
might get an opportunity to take up the work. She had expected to begin
with minor parts, and hoped by her skill and earnest efforts to attain
eminence.

On the train, coming East, she had formed an acquaintance with Mr. Bixby
and his wife, who were in the business. As their studio was not far from
the Farnsworth home, Azalea had made plans with them to engage in the
work.

She had carried