"This is just the place!" cried the manager. "Russ, set your camera up here, and you'll get the sun just right. Now, everybody attention!" and he carefully explained what he wanted done. The play concerned the elopement of a pretty Southern girl, the pursuit by her father, her subsequent marriage, and the forgiveness of her parents. One of the scenes showed the young couple fleeing through the wilderness, and coming to rest beneath the palms, while the pursuers searched in vain for them. "You're one of the lovers who has been disappointed by the elopement, Mr. Towne," said Mr. Pertell, in giving his directions. "When I give the word you must come running along there, so the camera will show you alone." "But I may fall in there," objected the actor, as he pointed you to a small, muddy stream along the path he was to take. "You must look out for that," the manager replied. "In fact, I don't know but what it would be good business to have you fall in. It would seem more realistic." "I absolutely refuse to fall in with this new suit on!" cried Mr. Towne, as he glanced at his while flannels. "Oh, very well, then," conceded the manager. Russ had his camera in readiness, and, after making views of the two lovers beneath the palms, he called: "All ready for you, Mr. Towne," and he focused his camera in another direction. The well-dressed actor came on. "Oh, run faster!" commanded Mr. Pertell, impatiently. "Act as though you meant it. Put some spirit in it. You are supposed to be desperate because your sweetheart has gone off with another man. You look as though you didn't care!" Thereupon Mr. Towne tried to "register" anger, and succeeded fairly well. But in doing so he forgot to "mind his steps," and a moment later, in running along the edge of the muddy stream he slipped, and the next moment, in all the glory of his white suit, he splashed into the mud. CHAPTER XV IN PERIL Russ instantly stopped grinding away at the camera handle as he saw Mr. Towne go into the ditch, but the manager, without the loss of a moment, cried: "Film that, Russ! It'll be better than the way we were to play it first. Catch him as he comes up!" "All right!" chuckled the young operator. "Oh, what a place to fall!" cried Miss Pennington, who was off one side, out of the camera's range. "His suit will surely need washing," remarked Alice. "Oh, how can you be so heartless?" asked her sister. "Heartless! Isn't that the truth?" Mr. Towne had struggled to his feet. The muddy stream was not very deep. "Help! Help! Save me!" he cried, as he wiped the water from his face, thereby making many muddy streaks on his countenance. "You're in no danger--come on out!" cried Mr. Pertell, trying not to laugh. "Come right toward the camera, Mr. Towne, and register anger and disgust!" "Register--register!" spluttered the actor. "Do you mean to say you are filming me in this state?"