"Well, what can I do? I must do something. Poor daddy's voice has failed utterly. He can't take his new part in the play unless he does it in pantomime, and I'm afraid that would hardly be the thing. He simply can't speak his lines, though he can act them." "That's too bad," said Russ, sympathetically. "So they had to get another actor in his place," went on Alice, "and poor father has started out to look for something else to do. That's my errand this morning, also." Russ was in deep thought for a moment. Then he exclaimed: "I have it!" "What? A place for me?" demanded Alice. "Tell me at once, and I'll hurry there." "No, Alice, not a place for you; but a place for your father. You say he can't speak, but he can act?" "Yes." "Then the movies is the very place for him! He won't have to say a word--just move his lips. He can act parts in photoplays as well as if he never had a voice. I just thought of it. It will be the very thing he can do. Say, I'm glad I met you. We must get busy with this at once. "Come on! I'm on my way now to see about my new patent, and I can take you to the manager of the film company. I know him well. I'm sure he'll give your father a place in the company, and it pays well. If Mr. DeVere can't act at the New Columbia he can in the movies! Come on!" CHAPTER VII ALICE CHANGES HER MIND Filled with enthusiasm over his new project for aiding Mr. DeVere, Russ Dalwood caught Alice by the hand, and guided her steps with his. She had been about to turn off at a corner, to carry out her intention of seeking employment in one of the many manicure parlors on a certain street. Now she hesitated. "Well," asked Russ, impatiently, "don't you like the idea?" "Oh, it's fine--it's splendid of you!" Alice replied, with fervor, "but you know----" She hesitated, her cheeks taking on a more ruddy hue. There was an uncertain look in her brown eyes. "Well, what?" asked Russ, smilingly. "Surely you don't mind going with me to the manager's office? It's a public place. Lots of girls go there, looking for engagements." "Oh, no, it isn't that!" she hastened to assure him. "Or, if you don't like going with me, I can give you a note to Mr. Pertell, the manager. I know him quite well, as I've been negotiating with him about my patent." "Oh, Russ, you know it isn't that!" she exclaimed. "And, if you like, we'll go back and get Ruth. Maybe that would be better!" he exclaimed eagerly, and as Alice looked into his honest gray eyes she read his little secret, and smiled at him understandingly. "Oh, never that!" she cried gaily. "Ruth would be the last one in the world to be let into this secret, until it is more assured of success. Besides, I guess when you walk with Ruth you don't want me," she challenged. "Oh, now----" he began. "That's all right. I understand," she laughed at him. "No, we won't tell Ruth."