with the greatest
ease. Let's see that check, you miserable infant," she went on, grabbing
the slip of paper out of Mary's hand. "Oh, girls, it's really so!"

Ruth was reading another paragraph in Mr. Hammond's letter. He said:

"The check enclosed is for you, yourself. It has nothing to do
with the profits of the films we now release. It is a bribe. I
want to see whatever scenarios you may write during the next two
years. I want to see them first. That is all. We do not need a
contract, but if you keep the check I shall know that I am to
have first choice of anything you may write in this line."

The check went into Ruth's bank account.

That very week "The Heart of a Schoolgirl" was to be shown at the local
Opera House. Mrs. Tellingham gave a half holiday and engaged enough stages
besides Noah's old Ark, to take all the girls to the play. They went to
the matinee, and the center of enthusiasm was in the seats in the body of
the house reserved for the Briarwood girls.

The house was well filled at this first showing of the picture in
Lumberton, and more than the girls themselves were enthusiastic over it.
To Ruth's surprise the manager of the house showed "Curiosity" first, and
when she saw her name emblazoned under the title of the one-reel film,
Ruth Fielding had a distinct shock.

It was a joyful feeling that shook her, however. As never before she
realized that she had really accomplished something in the world. She had
earned money with her brains! And she had written something really worth
while, too.

When the five-reel drama came on, she was as much absorbed in the story as
though she had not written it and acted in it. It gave her a strange
feeling indeed when she saw herself come on to the screen, and knew just
what she was saying in the picture by the movement of her lips--whether
she remembered the words spoken when the film was made or not.

Everything went off smoothly. The girls cheered the picture to the echo,
and at the end went marching out, shouting:

"S.B.--Ah-h-h!
S.B.--Ah-h-h!
Sound our battle-cry
Near and far!
S.B.--All!
Briarwood Hall!
Sweetbriars, do or die--
This be our battle-cry--
Briarwood Hall!
_That's all!_"

CHAPTER XXV

AUNT ALVIRAH AT BRIARWOOD HALL

Mr. Cameron, Helen's father, and Mrs. Murchiston, who had acted as
governess for the twins until they were old enough to go to boarding
s