A BAD FALL
"Have you made up your mind yet, Estelle?"
"No, Ruth! I haven't. I don't know what to do."
The two girls were in Estelle's room. Miss Brown was putting some
protective padding under her outer garments, for in a little while she
was to take part in a desperate ride--one of the last scenes in the big
war play--a ride that had a part in a cavalry charge that was to be made
by the desperate Confederates on the hosts of Unionists, who were
closing in on their enemies. It was to be the last battle--a final stand
of the Southern States, and they were to lose.
But Estelle was to make a desperate ride to try to save the day. This
time she was to pose as a daughter of the South. The ride would
necessarily be a reckless one, and Estelle felt that she might fall; so
she was preparing for it.
"I don't know what to do," she went on to Ruth, who was helping her.
"Sometimes I feel like doing as you and your sister suggest, and let
your father into the secret--and Mr. Pertell too--and have them try what
they can do to discover who I am.
"Then again, as I think it over, I'm afraid. Suppose I should turn out
to be some one altogether horrid?"
"You couldn't, my dear, not if you tried. But if you don't want my
father to know, and would rather work out this mystery yourself, why, I
won't say another word."
"I want to think about it a little more," Estelle said.
They had been talking about her strange case, and the possible outcome
of it. Alice had suggested that a motion picture story be written around
it.
"It could be called 'Who is Estelle Brown?'" Alice said, "and it could
be a serial. You could pose in it, Estelle, and make a lot of money.
And, not only that, but you'd find out who your relatives were, I'm
sure."
"Oh, I couldn't do it!" Estelle had cried. "I'd like the money, of
course. I never was so happy as when I found I had a purse full when I
was on that Cleveland boat! But I could not capitalize my misfortune
that way."
"No, I was only joking," said Alice. And so the matter had gone on. Now
Ruth had broached the subject again, and Estelle was still undecided.
"Wait until after this big ride of mine," she said. "Then I'll make up
my mind. I really do want to know who I am, and I think, after this
engagement, if I don't find out before, I'll go to Boston again. I'm
sure my people are from that vicinity."
So it was left.
From outside came the stirring notes of a bugle. At the sound of it Ruth
and Estelle started.
"That's the signal," said the latter. "I must hurry."
"I'll help you," offered Ruth, and she assisted in the tying of the last
strings, and the snapping of the final fastenings of the suit of
protective padding the rider wore.
"You don't take part in the actual charge, do you?" asked Alice, who
came in at this point.
"Well, I have to ride ahead of the Union forces for a way," Estelle
answered. "But I'm not afraid. Petro will carry me safely, as he has
done before."
The girls went down and out into the yard. Off on the distant meadow of
Oak Farm, which had been turned into a battlefield for the time being,
were two hostile armies. The two regiments of cavalry were to meet in a
final clash that was to end the war. There was to be the firing of many
rifles and cannon. There were to be charges and countercharges. Men
would fall from their horses shot dead. Certain horses, trained for the
work, would stumble and fall, going down with those who rode them, the
men having learned how to roll out of the way without getting a broken
arm or leg. In spite of their training and practice, nearly all expected
to be scratched and bruised. However, it was all part of the game and in
the day's work.
"All ready now!" called Mr. Pertell. "We're going to have the first
skirmish, and, after that, Miss Brown, you are to do your ride. Are you
ready?"
"Yes," Estelle told the director.
The signal was given through the field telephone and then, with his
ever-present megaphone, the director began to issue his orders.
The rifles cracked, the big guns rumbled and roared, smoke blew across
the battlefield and horses snorted and pawed at the ground impatient to
be off and in the charge. To them it was real, even though their masters
knew it was only for the movies.
Bugles tooted their inspiring calls, and the officers, who knew the
significance of the cadence of notes, issued their orders accordingly.
"Deploy to the left!" came the command to a squad of Union cavalry, and
the men trotted off, to try a flank movement. Then came the firing of a
Confederate battery in a desperate attempt to scatter the Union forces.
All the camera men in the employ of the Comet Film Company were engaged
this day, and Russ was at his wits' end to keep each machine loaded with
film, and to see that his own was working properly.
Pop Snooks had never before been called on to provide so many "props" as
he was for this occasion, but he thoroughly enjoyed the work, and when,
at the last minute, he had to make a rustic bridge whereon two lovers
had a farewell before the soldier rode off to battle, the veteran
property man improvised one out of bean poles and fence rails that made
a most artistic picture.
"They'll have to get up the day before breakfast to beat Pop Snooks!"
exclaimed Russ, admiringly.
All was now ready for the big cavalry charge.
"All ready!" came the order from Mr. Pertell. "Cameras!"
And the cranks began to work, reeling off the sensitive film.
The two bodies of cavalry rushed toward one another, hoofs thundering,
carbines cracking, sabres flashing in the sun, white puffs of smoke
showing where the cannon were firing.
"Now Miss Brown!" yelled the director, above the riot of noise. "This is
where you make the ride of your life!"
"All right!" answered the brave girl, and, giving rein to her horse, she
dashed off ahead of a detachment of cavalry that was to try to intercept
her.
On and on rode Estelle. Ruth and Alice, who had finished their part in
this scene, stood on a little hill, watching her.
On and on dashed Estelle, doing her part well, and foot after foot of
the film registered her action. She was almost at the end now. She
reached the Confederate ranks, gave over the message she had carried
through such danger, and then, turning her horse, dashed away.
How it happened no one could tell. But suddenly Petro stumbled, and
though Estelle tried to keep him on his feet she could not.
"Oh--oh!" gasped Ruth. "Look!" and then she turned her head away so as
not to see.
Alice had a flash of Estelle flying over the head of her falling horse,
and then, unable to stop, the rushing soldiers on their horses rode over
the very place where Estelle had fallen.