The Moving Picture Girls Snowbound | Page 8

lifted her head, and with a
rosy blush, and a shy look at Russ, disengaged her hand.
"I--I feel better now," she said.
"That's good," and he smiled. "I don't believe that fellow will come
back. I'll stay here. Is your father out?"
"Yes, and all on account of that horrid man," answered Alice. "Oh, it
was so good of you to come in Russ!"
"I happened to be coming here anyhow," he answered. "When I saw the
door open, and heard what was said, which I could not help doing, I did
not stand on ceremony."
"It was awfully good of you," murmured Ruth, who now seemed quite
herself again. "I suppose you heard what that man said?"
"Not all," he made reply. "It was something about money though, I
gathered. He was demanding it."
"Yes, and after father has already paid it," put in Alice. "That's where
daddy has gone now--to consult Mr. Pertell as to the best course of
action."
Between them, Ruth and Alice told about Dan Merley's claim, and the
injustice of it. Russ was duly sympathetic.
"If I were your father I would pay no attention to his demand," the
young moving picture operator said.

"But suppose he sues, as he threatened?" asked Ruth.
"Let him, and fight the case in court when it comes up. Merley may be
only 'bluffing', to use a common expression."
"But it annoys daddy almost as much as if the case were real, you see,"
said Ruth. "Won't you sit down, Russ? Excuse our impoliteness, but
really we've been quite upset."
"Thanks," he laughed as he took a chair. "You need cheering up. You
come to the studio to-morrow and forget your troubles in a good
laugh."
"Why?" asked Alice. "Ruth and I are not down for any parts
to-morrow."
"No, but Mr. Switzer is going to do some comic stunts, and Mr. Bunn
and Mr. Sneed are in them with him. There are to be some trick films, I
believe."
"Then we'll go," decided Alice. "I think a laugh would do me good."
Gradually the little fright wore off, and when Mr. DeVere returned
shortly afterward the girls were themselves again, under the happy
influence of Russ.
"What luck, Daddy?" asked Alice, as her father came in. He shook his
head, as she added: "Russ knows all about it," for she gathered that he
might not like to speak before the young man. "What did Mr. Pertell
say?"
"He advised me to wait until Merley made the next move, and then
come and see him again. He said he would then send me to the attorney
for the film company, who would handle my case without charge."
"How good of him!" cried Ruth, impulsively.
"Mr. Pertell gave daddy the same advice Russ gave us," added Alice.
"Oh, it was so good to have him here when that dreadful man came in,"

she went on.
"What man?" asked Mr. DeVere, in surprise. "Was someone in here
while I was gone--those camera scoundrels, Russ?"
"No, it was Dan Merley himself!" exclaimed Ruth, "and he was so
horrid, Daddy!" There was a hint of tears in her voice.
"The impertinent scoundrel!" exclaimed Mr. DeVere, in the manner
that had won him such success on the stage. "I shall go to the police
and----"
"No, don't Daddy dear," begged Ruth laying a detaining hand on his
arm, as he turned to the door. "That would only make it more
unpleasant for us. We would have to go to court and testify, if you had
him arrested. And, besides, I don't know on what charge you could
cause his arrest. He really did nothing to us, except to hurt our feelings
and scare us. But I fancy Russ scared him in turn. Don't go to the police,
Daddy."
"All right," he agreed. "But tell me all about it."
They did so, by turns, and Mr. DeVere's anger waxed hot against
Merley as he listened. But he realized that it was best to take no rash
step, much as he desired to. So he finally calmed down.
"If I could only prove that I had paid that money," he murmured, "all
would be well. I must make it a point, after this, to be more
business-like. It is like locking the stable door after the automobile is
gone, though, in this case," he added, with a whimsical smile.
Russ remained a little longer, and then took his leave. Ruth saw to it,
even getting up out of bed to do it, that the chain was on the hall door.
For she was in nervous doubt as to whether or not she had taken that
precaution. But she found the portal secure.
"That man might come back in the night," she thought. But she did not