ut on the face of Alice there was a triumphant smile. For she saw that this was the very thing needed to arouse her fathe

been very opportune, th

y-"this is very-er-very unfortunate. T

You know I

with a sigh. "I had forgotten.

in thought f

uch more, Ru

But don't worry. You

ntal, and not physical-except for my throat. And even that

hoarse whisper, which the g

actor. "I'll go out again this afternoon. Let us have

me tell about the moving picture

d her father. "It is very good of you to suggest it;

ejectedly at the dispos

I might get a place in some dramatic school. I have trained you girls in the rudiments of acting, and I'm sure I

asked Alice. "We can't be p

loan. I'll pay him back out of my first salary. We mus

d take care of your throat!" urged Alice. "You might

rrupted with vigor. "I

came a knock

," offer

," said Rut

as a low murmur of voices, gradually growing louder on the part of th

re meat until the bill is paid. He told me to tell you

Alice, in

d Mr. DeVere, from the reve

in which there was little mirth, "think it mea

ul!" exclaim

in with fl

her father, though

utcher's bo

e, significantly. "Have we a

o much!" said Mr. DeVere. "

terposed Ruth, gently. "We do owe him quite a bil

DeVere. "He will make me a loan, I'm sure. Then I'll pay this butcher

ent, Daddy," said R

and. "The rent-Oh, yes. That must be paid first. I-I will have to get a larger

per's standpoint, that had ever graced the DeVere table, used as they had become to scanty rations of late. Mr. DeVere said little, but he appe

r it would go. If they paid the rent they would not have enough to live on for a week, and food was almost as vital a

's going into the movies will be

m so. Yet co

. I saw some very poo

he pay su

reases with the fame of the actor. I wi

e DeV

e to act before a whole big audience that is staring at you.

r shirt

irt sleeves? Didn't dad act in his during the duel scene in "Lord Graham's Secret?" Of course he

r head down

r. "There must be a way out. Father will

e. "We will be put out-disgraced before all the nei

a look on her face that caused

What do

work in the movies. If father won't, I will! And I'll ask Russ fo

do that!" and Ruth plante

t the sisters con

do something,"

yet. We have some pride left. W

consented. She sank

s came to them through the thin, cheap walls. The crying of babies, the quarrels of a couple in the flat back of them, the wheeze of a r

a gesture

e mechanical piano got a "kink," and played a crash

step in th

ther!" excl

he had negotiating a

e entered

speak, and it was with an ob

t out word that he was too busy. He is getting ready for t

," repeated Alice. "Wha

have a little money. He sent back word that he was sorry, but th

lence. The girls looked

declared, finally. "I can t

d speak Ruth had gained it. She tried to close it, but

eries, until youse has paid for what youse has got,"

was heard

started fro

lting--"

ched him

she begge

and, as Ruth came in, with tears in her eyes, she, too, fo

"What is the address of that