OFF TO THE WOODS
The moving picture players looked curiously at the manager, and then at
Mr. Sneed. They were used to this action on his part, and also on the
part of Mr. Bunn--that of resigning when anything did not suit them. But
matters with either of them seldom went farther than the mere threat.
"I know it will not be as pleasant, as regards weather conditions, at
Elk Lodge, Deerfield, as it was at Oak Farm," said Mr. Pertell. "But the
lodge is a big building, very quaint and picturesque, I have been told,
and it has all the comforts, and many of the conveniences, of life.
There are big, open fireplaces, and plenty of logs to burn. So you will
not freeze."
"Open fires are always cold," complained Mr. Sneed. "You roast on one
side, and freeze on the other."
"Oh, I think it won't be quite as bad as that," laughed the manager.
"But that is not all I have to say. In consideration of the fact that
there will be some inconveniences, in spite of all I can do, I am
willing to make an increase of ten per cent. in the salaries of all of
you, including Tommy and Nellie," and he smiled at the two children.
"Oh, goodie! I'm going!" cried the small lad.
"So'm I," voiced his sister.
There was a moment of silence, while all the members of the company
looked at Mr. Sneed, who had raised the first contention. He seemed to
think that it was necessary for him to say something.
"Ah--ahem!" he began.
"Yes?" spoke Mr. Pertell, questioningly.
"In view of all the facts, and er--that I would have to give two weeks'
notice, and under all the circumstances, I think--er--I will withdraw my
resignation, if you will allow me," the grouchy actor went on, in a
lofty manner.
"Ah!" laughed Mr. Pertell. "Then we will consider it settled, and you
may all begin to pack up for Elk Lodge as soon as you please."
"When are we to leave?" asked Mr. DeVere.
"In a few days now. I have one more play I want to stage in New York,
and then we will leave for the country where we can study snow and ice
effects to better advantage than here. We want to get out into the open.
Russ, I must have a talk with you about films. I think, in view of the
fact that the lights out in the open, reflected by the snow, will be
very intense and high, a little change in the film and the stop of the
camera will be necessary."
"I think so myself," agreed the young moving picture operator. "In fact,
I have been working on a little device that I can attach to our cameras
to cut down the amount of light automatically. It consists of a selenium
plate with a battery attachment----"
"Oh, spare us the dreadful details!" interrupted Miss Pennington, who
was of a rather frivolous nature.
"Well, there is no longer need of detaining you," spoke Mr. Pertell.
"Work for the day is over. We will meet again to-morrow and film 'A
Mother's Sorrow,' and that will be the last New York play for some time.
I presume it will take a week to get ready to go to Deerfield, as there
are many details to look after."
"Oh, I just can't wait until it's time to go to the backwoods!" cried
Alice, as she and Ruth were on their way home that evening. "Aren't you
crazy about it, sister mine?"
"Well, not exactly _crazy_, Alice. You do use such--er--such strong
expressions!"
"Well, I have strong feelings, I suppose."
"I know, but you must be more--more conservative."
"I know you were going to say 'lady-like,' but you didn't dare," laughed
Alice.
"Well, consider it said, my dear," went on Ruth, in all seriousness, for
she felt that she must, in a measure, play the part of a mother to her
younger sister.
"I don't want to consider anything!" laughed Alice, "except the glorious
fun we are going to have. Oh, Ruth, even the prospect of that dreadful
Dan Merley making daddy pay the debt over again can't dampen my spirits
now. I'm so happy!"
She threw her arms about Ruth and attempted a few turns of the one-step
glide.
"Oh, stop! I'm slipping!" cried Ruth, for the sidewalk was icy. "Alice,
let me go!"
"Not until you take a few more steps! Now dip!"
"But, Alice! I'm going to fall! I know I am! There! I told you----"
But Ruth did not get a chance to use the favorite expression of Mr.
Sneed, if such was her intention. For she really was about to fall when
a young man, who was passing, caught her, and saved her from a tumble.
"Oh!" she gasped, in confusion, as she recovered her balance.
"I beg your pardon," laughed the young fellow, with sparkling eyes.
"I should beg yours!" faltered Ruth, with a blush.
"It was all my fault--I wanted her to dance!" cried Alice, willing to
accept her share of the blame.
"Yes, this weather makes one feel like dancing," the young fellow
agreed, and then with a bow he passed on.
"Alice how could you?" cried Ruth.
"How could I what?"
"Make me do that."
"I didn't mean to. Really, he was nice; wasn't he? And say, did you
notice his eyes?"
"Oh, Alice, you are hopeless!" and Ruth had to laugh.
The two moving picture girls reached home without further mishap, if
mishap that could be called, though all the way Alice insisted on
waltzing about happily, and trying in vain to get Ruth to join in, and
try the new steps. Passersby more than once turned to look at the two
pretty girls, who made a most attractive picture.
The drama next day was successfully filmed and then followed a sort of
week's vacation, while the picture players prepared for the trip to the
woods.
They were to go by train to Hampton Junction, the nearest station to
Deerfield. This last was only a small settlement once the center of an
important lumber industry, but now turned into a hunting preserve, owned
by a number of rich men. As the Lodge was not in use this season, Mr.
Pertell had engaged it for his company.
In due time the baggage was all packed, the various "properties" had
been shipped by Pop Snooks and everything was ready for the trip. The
journey from the railroad station at Hampton Junction to Elk Lodge, in
Deerfield, was to be made in big four-horse sleds, several of them
having been engaged, for it was reported that the snow was deep in the
woods. Winter had set in with all its severity there.
Finally all the members of the company were gathered at the Grand
Central Terminal, New York. The players attracted considerable
attention, for there was that air of the theater about them which always
seems so fascinating to the outsider, who knows so little of the really
hard work that goes on behind the footlights. Most of the glitter is in
front, in spite of appearances.
"Why, it's like setting off for Oak Farm!" remarked Alice, as she stood
beside her sister, Paul and Russ.
"Only there isn't any mystery in prospect," spoke Paul. "I wonder how
the Apgars are getting on, now that their farm is safe?"
"They're probably sitting about a warm fire, talking about it," Russ
said.
"There may be just as much of a mystery in the backwoods as there was at
Oak Farm, if we can only come across it," suggested Alice. "I wish we
could discover something queer."
"Oh, Alice!" protested Ruth.
Mr. Sneed was observed to be walking about, peering at the various sign
boards on which the destination of trains was given.
"What are you looking for?" asked Russ.
"I want to see that we don't start out on track thirteen as we did when
we went to Oak Farm, and had the wreck," the actor answered. "I've had
enough of hoodoos."
"You're all right this time--we leave from track twenty-seven," called
Mr. Pertell. "All aboard for Deerfield and Elk Lodge!"