thing, and no one
takes either Miss Dixon or Miss Pennington very seriously--not half as
seriously as they take themselves. It will all blow over."

There were big times ahead for the moving picture girls and their
friends. Some of the most important battle scenes were soon to be
filmed, those that had already been taken having been skirmishes.

"I have succeeded in getting two regiments of the state militia to take
part in a sham battle for our big play," said Mr. Pertell one day. "They
are to come to this part of the country for their annual manoeuvers
under the supervision of the regular army officers, and by paying their
expenses I can have them here for a couple of days.

"They will come with their horses, tents, and everything, so we shall
have some real war scenes--that is, as real as can be had with blank
cartridges. It will be a great thing for my film."

"And will they work in with our players?" asked Mr. DeVere.

"Oh, yes, indeed! I intend to use your daughters in the spy and hospital
scenes, and you as one of the generals. In fact, Mr. DeVere, I depend
on you to coach the militia men. For though they know a lot about
military matters, they do not know how best to pose for the camera. So
I'll be glad if you will act as a sort of stage manager."

"I shall be pleased to," answered the old player. And he was greatly
delighted at the opportunity.

About a week after Mr. Pertell had mentioned that two regiments of
militia were coming to Oak Farm, Ruth and Alice awakened one morning to
see the fields about them dotted with tents and soldiers moving about
here and there.

"Why, it does look just like a real war camp!" exclaimed Alice, who, in
a very becoming dressing gown, was at the window. "Oh, isn't it
thrilling! How dare you?" she exclaimed, drawing hastily back.

"What was it?" asked Ruth from her room.

"One of the officers had the audacity to wave his hand at me."

"You shouldn't have looked out."

"Ha! A pity I can't look out of my own window," and to prove that she
was well within her rights Alice looked out again, and pretended not to
see a young man who was standing in the yard below.

There was a bustle of excitement at the breakfast table. All the players
were eager to know what parts they would have, for this was the biggest
thing any of them had yet been in--with two regiments taking the field
one against the other, with many more cannon and guns than Mr. Pertell
had hitherto used.