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Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West

We do a lot of deceptive tricks of that sort, and sometimes I myself

marvel at the natural effects obtained."

"It must be more interesting than stage acting."

"I believe it is. But we've never been on the stage," said Maud.

"How did you happen to get started in such a queer business?"

inquired Patsy.

"Well, after we found ourselves poor and without resources we began

wondering what we could do to earn money. A friend of Aunt Jane's knew a

motion picture maker who wanted fifty young girls for a certain picture

and would pay each of them five dollars a day. Flo and I applied for the

job and earned thirty dollars between us; but then the manager thought he

would like to employ us regularly, and with Auntie to chaperon us we

accepted the engagement. The first few weeks we merely appeared among the

rabble--something like chorus girls, you see--but then we were given

small parts and afterward more important ones. When we discovered our own

value to the film makers Auntie managed to get us better engagements, so

we've acted for three different concerns during the past two years, while

Aunt Jane has become noted as a clever judge of the merits of scenarios."

"Do both of you girls play star parts?" Beth inquired.

"Usually. Flo is considered the best 'child actress' in the business, but

when there is no child part she makes herself useful in all sorts of

ways. To-day, for instance, you saw her among the dancing girls. I do

the ingenue, or young girl parts, which are very popular just now. I did

not want to act 'Delilah,' for I thought I was not old enough; but Mr.

McNeil wanted me in the picture and so I made myself took as mature as

possible."

"You were ideal!" cried Patsy, admiringly.

The young girl blushed at this praise, but said deprecatingly:

"I doubt if I could ever be a really great actress; but then, I do not

intend to act for many more years. Our salary is very liberal at present,

as Goldstein grudgingly informed you, and we are saving money. As soon as

we think we have acquired enough to live on comfortably we shall abandon

acting and live as other girls do.

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