Part 4 (1/2)
”Oh, is it as dangerous as that?” exclaimed Alice, looking at Paul intently.
”Don't worry,” and he smiled. ”I guess the apparatus has been tested before. I'm getting used to risks in this business.”
”What time to-morrow is it?” queried Ruth.
”Right after lunch,” Russ responded. ”I've got to film him.”
”Then I'm coming to see you!” declared Alice. ”I'm off directly after lunch. I haven't much on for to-morrow.”
”Oh, Alice! You wouldn't go!” cried her sister.
”Of course I would, my dear!”
”But suppose something--happened?” Ruth went on in a low voice, as Russ and Paul started out together.
”All the more reason why I should be there!” declared Alice, promptly, and Ruth looked at her with a new light of understanding in her eyes.
And then she looked at Paul, who waved his hand gaily at the younger girl.
”Dear little sister,” murmured Ruth. ”I wonder----?”
”I'll look for you there,” called Paul, as he went on down the hall.
”And I'll be there,” promised Alice.
”Do you feel better now, Daddy?” asked Ruth, in their rooms.
”Much better--yes, my dear. That new spray the doctor gave me seems to work wonders. And my throat is really better since our trip South. I feel quite encouraged.”
It was after supper in the DeVere apartment. The two girls were seated at the sitting-room table with their father, who was looking over a new play in which he had a part. Alice was reading a newspaper and Ruth mending a pair of stockings.
”Well, there's one good thing about going out West,” finally remarked the younger girl, as she tossed aside the paper, and caught up a hairpin which her vigorous motion had caused to slip out of her brown tresses.
”What's that--you won't have to fuss so about dress?” asked Ruth, for her sister did not share her ideas on this subject.
”No, but if we do go there won't be any trouble about that International company trying to steal Mr. Pertell's secrets.”
”I don't know about that,” observed Mr. DeVere, slowly. ”If they are after his big drama they may even follow us out West.”
”Oh, I hope not!” exclaimed Ruth, pausing with extended needle. ”I don't like trouble.”
”There may be no trouble,” her father a.s.sured her, with a smile. ”In fact, now that the spy is detected, the whole affair may be closed. I hope so, for Mr. Pertell works hard to get up new ideas, and to have some other concern step in, and rob him of the fruits of his labor, would be unjust indeed.”
Rehearsals and the filming of plays in the Comet studio were over the next morning about eleven o'clock.
”Come on,” said Paul to Ruth and Alice. ”I'm to get a bonus on account of the fire escape stunt, and I'll take you girls out to lunch. Come along, Russ. It's extra money and we might as well enjoy it.”
”You are too extravagant!” chided Ruth.