Part 18 (2/2)

”Then Mr. Hammond's lawyer could not do all Mr. Hammond expected,” sighed Ruth. ”The picture will be ruined.”

”I never heard of such a thing,” cried Helen angrily. ”I'd like to know what sort of courts and judges they have up here in these woods?”

But Ruth wanted to know more. She held Wonota back as she would have stepped into the canoe.

”Wait,” she urged. ”Tell me more, Totantora. Where are you taking Wonota?”

It was the Indian girl who answered.

”Over on that sh.o.r.e,” said she, pointing again to the Canadian island, ”these courts cannot touch us. Mr. Hammond told my father so. We go there to wait until the trouble is over. Mr. Hammond spoke of it before.

Totantora is informed.”

”But it means delay and expense,” cried Ruth.

”How mean!” exploded Helen. ”I'd like to do something to that Bilby.”

”Have you money--plenty of money?” Ruth demanded of the Indian.

”I have money,” said Wonota, touching the bosom of her blouse. ”We do not need much. We shall live quietly there until Mr. Hammond sends for us. We will be faithful to you, Miss Ruth.”

She turned, with more impulsiveness than she usually showed, and kissed the white girl's cheek.

”You are so good to me!” she cried. ”I will not forget all you have taught me. And I will rehea.r.s.e every day so to be perfect when Mr. Hooley wants me again.”

There was no way to stop her. Indeed, as Mr. Hammond had advised this sudden move, Ruth knew she had no right to interfere. It was evident that an emergency had arisen of which she, herself, knew nothing. In some way the enemy had forced Mr. Hammond's hand. Totantora and his daughter were in danger of being brought into court after all, and Mr. Hammond did not wish that to come about.

The Indian girl stepped lightly into the canoe and picked up the extra paddle. Her father leaped in after her, pushed the light craft away from the rock, and seized his own paddle. In another moment the canoe shot away from the island and off toward the broad expanse of the open St.

Lawrence.

Helen and Ruth stared after them--then at each other. Naturally it was Helen who first regained her voice and gave expression to her amazement.

”What do you know about that?” she demanded.

”I--I don't know what to say,” murmured Ruth.

”Oh! I know what to say, all right,” said the disgusted Helen. ”It's no joke.”

Ruth herself admitted it was nothing to laugh about. She saw difficulties in the way of the completion of ”The Long Lane's Turning” of which Helen knew but little--or of which she did not think.

Ruth knew that there were scenes--some of them she had been studying with Wonota this day--that could not be changed nor eliminated. Wonota must be in them. No ”double” could be used.

In the first place, the Indian girl's personality was distinct. It could not easily be matched.

Ruth knew that, even at that time, one of the most popular screen actresses, because of her inability longer to look the child, was using a double for all her ”close-ups” when she was forced to play those childish parts that a hungry public of ”movie fans” demanded.

Nothing like this would save ”The Long Lane's Turning.” The throne room scene in Paris, which was yet to be photographed, was too delicate a matter to put in the hands of any double. Wonota was herself--even in this picture she was a distinct personality--and she must be shown to the very end of the last reel and the last ”fade-out.”

The thoughts caused Ruth to feel very, very sober. Helen looked at her with some appreciation of her chum's despair; yet she could not appreciate the situation in full.

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