t the cottage," returned the young lady;
and then the canoe passed out of hearing of those on the shore, and a
dozen strong strokes of the paddle sent the frail craft out of sight
around another headland.

"That certainly was a surprise," was Dave's comment, as they passed
along under some overhanging trees. "I never dreamed of coming across
that moving-picture company in such a fashion as that."

"What did you get out for?" asked Jessie, curiously.

"I wanted to ask Mr. Appleby about Link Merwell. He didn't know Link was
a criminal. He says if Link shows himself up here he will make him a
prisoner and notify us."

"Isn't it queer that Link should join that company!"

"Rather, although I suppose he has got to do something for a
living,--and I guess he isn't the fellow to pick out hard work. Acting
in the movies must be easy--and lots of fun in the bargain."

"You are not going to act with them, are you, Dave?" questioned Jessie,
with her big round eyes full upon him.

"Oh, I don't know. I think perhaps it might be sport."

"I don't think so."

"Miss Ford tried to make a regular hero out of me. I wish she wouldn't
do that."

"Well, it was a grand thing for you to do--to pull her out of the water,
Dave, and she ought to be exceedingly grateful. Just the same, I don't
think I like her very much," and Jessie pouted a little.

"Is that so? Why, I thought she was real nice."

"She's awfully forward."

"I didn't notice that. But maybe it's her calling makes her so. An
actress can't be just like other people."

"I think she might be when she wasn't acting. Anyway, I think she was
too--well, too gushing."

"I noticed that you didn't give her any invitation to call when she
invited you," went on Dave, after a pause, during which they left the
vicinity of the shore and swept out into Mirror Lake.

"Why should I? Mamma might not approve of it. I don't think she has a
very high opinion of moving-picture actors and actresses."

"And I guess you haven't either, Jessie," returned Dave, somewhat
bluntly.

"Oh, I don't know about that," and the girl tossed her head. "They have
a right to act in the movies if they want to. They've got to earn their
living some way, I suppose. Don't you think we had better be getting
back, Dave?"

"Why, it's early yet, Jessie!"

"Never mind, I think I would rather go back. Now that the sun is
overhead it is quite warm."

Dave started to answer, and then suddenly shut his mouth t