"That was a mistake on the part of Mr. Pertell; wasn't it, Ruth?" asked one of the young actresses--a pretty girl--of her sister, who stood near her in the mimic scene. "Yes, indeed, Alice. But it isn't often he makes one." "No, indeed. Oh, we mustn't talk any more. I see him looking at us." "Begin!" called the manager, sharply, and the play proceeded, while the young moving picture operator clicked away at the handle of his camera, the long strip of film moving behind the lens with a whirring sound, and registering views of the pantomime of the actors and actresses at the rate of sixteen a second. The above was done several times a day in the New York studio of the Comet Film Company, which was engaged in making moving pictures. The play went on through the various acts. Only part of it was being "filmed" now--the interior scenes. Later, others would be taken outdoors. "Time out--hold your positions!" suddenly exclaimed the operator. "Film's broken. I've got to mend it." Everyone came to a standstill at that. In a few seconds the damage was repaired, and the play went on. It was, in the main, a "parlor" drama, and there were to be only a few outdoor scenes. "That will do for the present," said Mr. Pertell. "You may all take a rest now. This will be our last New York play for some time--that is, after we get the outdoor scenes for this." "Where are we going next?" asked the elderly actor before mentioned. He spoke in very hoarse voice, and it was evident that he had some throat affection. In fact, it was the ailment which had forced him to give up acting in the "legitimate," and take to the "movies." "We are going to Florida--the land of the palms!" announced the manager. "You know I spoke of tentative plans for a drama down there when we were in the backwoods. Now I have everything arranged, and we will leave on a steamer for St. Augustine one week from to-day." "Hurrah for Florida!" exclaimed a young actor, with a strikingly good-looking face. "There's where I've always wanted to go." "So have I!" exclaimed a young girl who stood near him,--a girl with merry, brown eyes. "Will you take me out after oranges, Paul?" she asked, mischievously. "Certainly, Alice," he answered. "Why don't you say orange blossoms while you're about it?" inquired another actress, with a pert manner. Alice blushed, and her sister Ruth looked sharply at Miss Laura Dixon, who had made the rather pointed remark. "I'm willing to make it orange blossoms!" laughed the young fellow. "That is, if they're in season." "Ah, stop all this nonsense!" exclaimed Alice. "I want to ask Mr. Pertell a lot of questions about where we're going, and all that. Oh, to think we are really going to Florida!" "Yes, we are all going," went on Mr. Pertell. "I think--" "One moment, if you please!" interrupted a middle-aged actor whose face seemed to indicate that he lived more on vinegar than on the milk of human kindness. "We are not _all_ going, if you please, Mr. Pertell."