gs 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 a