Part 29 (1/2)

”Sometimes I feel like doing as you and your sister suggest, and let your father into the secret--and Mr. Pertell too--and have them try what they can do to discover who I am.

”Then again, as I think it over, I'm afraid. Suppose I should turn out to be some one altogether horrid?”

”You couldn't, my dear, not if you tried. But if you don't want my father to know, and would rather work out this mystery yourself, why, I won't say another word.”

”I want to think about it a little more,” Estelle said.

They had been talking about her strange case, and the possible outcome of it. Alice had suggested that a motion picture story be written around it.

”It could be called 'Who is Estelle Brown?'” Alice said, ”and it could be a serial. You could pose in it, Estelle, and make a lot of money.

And, not only that, but you'd find out who your relatives were, I'm sure.”

”Oh, I couldn't do it!” Estelle had cried. ”I'd like the money, of course. I never was so happy as when I found I had a purse full when I was on that Cleveland boat! But I could not capitalize my misfortune that way.”

”No, I was only joking,” said Alice. And so the matter had gone on. Now Ruth had broached the subject again, and Estelle was still undecided.

”Wait until after this big ride of mine,” she said. ”Then I'll make up my mind. I really do want to know who I am, and I think, after this engagement, if I don't find out before, I'll go to Boston again. I'm sure my people are from that vicinity.”

So it was left.

From outside came the stirring notes of a bugle. At the sound of it Ruth and Estelle started.

”That's the signal,” said the latter. ”I must hurry.”

”I'll help you,” offered Ruth, and she a.s.sisted in the tying of the last strings, and the snapping of the final fastenings of the suit of protective padding the rider wore.

”You don't take part in the actual charge, do you?” asked Alice, who came in at this point.

”Well, I have to ride ahead of the Union forces for a way,” Estelle answered. ”But I'm not afraid. Petro will carry me safely, as he has done before.”

The girls went down and out into the yard. Off on the distant meadow of Oak Farm, which had been turned into a battlefield for the time being, were two hostile armies. The two regiments of cavalry were to meet in a final clash that was to end the war. There was to be the firing of many rifles and cannon. There were to be charges and countercharges. Men would fall from their horses shot dead. Certain horses, trained for the work, would stumble and fall, going down with those who rode them, the men having learned how to roll out of the way without getting a broken arm or leg. In spite of their training and practice, nearly all expected to be scratched and bruised. However, it was all part of the game and in the day's work.

”All ready now!” called Mr. Pertell. ”We're going to have the first skirmish, and, after that, Miss Brown, you are to do your ride. Are you ready?”

”Yes,” Estelle told the director.

The signal was given through the field telephone and then, with his ever-present megaphone, the director began to issue his orders.

The rifles cracked, the big guns rumbled and roared, smoke blew across the battlefield and horses snorted and pawed at the ground impatient to be off and in the charge. To them it was real, even though their masters knew it was only for the movies.

Bugles tooted their inspiring calls, and the officers, who knew the significance of the cadence of notes, issued their orders accordingly.

”Deploy to the left!” came the command to a squad of Union cavalry, and the men trotted off, to try a flank movement. Then came the firing of a Confederate battery in a desperate attempt to scatter the Union forces.

All the camera men in the employ of the Comet Film Company were engaged this day, and Russ was at his wits' end to keep each machine loaded with film, and to see that his own was working properly.

Pop Snooks had never before been called on to provide so many ”props” as he was for this occasion, but he thoroughly enjoyed the work, and when, at the last minute, he had to make a rustic bridge whereon two lovers had a farewell before the soldier rode off to battle, the veteran property man improvised one out of bean poles and fence rails that made a most artistic picture.