rt, coming in
over the heads of others!"

"That's what I say, too!" added Miss Dixon. "It was a shame the way
they took the parts away from Ruby and Maude!"

CHAPTER XVI

THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS

For a moment Ruth and Alice looked at each other with eyes that
showed the pain they felt. Ruth turned pale at hearing the unkind
words, but Alice blushed a rosy red, and started to say something.

"Don't," advised Mrs. Maguire, coming up beside them, and evidently
guessing her intention. "It would only make matters worse to reply to
them, my dear."

"But--but----" began Alice.

"Hush!" begged Ruth. "Oh, how could they say it--as if we _wanted_ to
displace those girls."

"I'm just going to tell them what I think!" exclaimed Alice, and
there was a hint of real anger in her voice. But she had no chance,
for Miss Pennington and Miss Dixon, as though satisfied with what
they had done, swept out to the elevator.

"Don't mind them, my dears," said motherly Mrs. Maguire. "It's only
professional jealousy, anyhow; and you'll see plenty of that if you
stay in this business long enough."

"Then I'm not going to stay!" cried Alice. "I'm not used to having
such things said of me."

Mrs. Maguire laughed genially. She was standing with Ruth and Alice,
who were waiting for their father to join them. Most of the other
performers had now gone.

"Oh, you'll get so you won't mind that a bit!" went on Mrs. Maguire.
"Sure, I used to eat my heart over it in my younger days, but now I
only laugh. It's part of the business. It's a tribute to your acting,
my dear, and you ought to take it as such. Don't mind it."

"Oh, but it was so--so uncalled--for!" murmured Ruth. "I think I
must--"

"Hush! Here comes daddy!" interrupted Alice. "Don't let him know
about it."

"That's wise," commented Mrs. Maguire. "Though probably he's seen
enough of it in his time. But perhaps he wouldn't like to know that
it bothered you. Best say nothing to him, my dears. It will wear away
soon enough."

"No, we won't say anything," agreed Alice, slipping her arm through
her sister's. "Papa has enough trouble as it is."

A little later, as the girls were walking along with Mr. DeVere, he
asked them:

"Well, how did you like your parts in the movies?"

"Fine. It was so interesting, Dad!" exclaimed Ruth.

"I'd like to do some more!" echoed Alice, with a meaning look at her
sister.

"Well, I must see what sort of parts Mr. Pertell will cast you