Outdoor stories had the call on the screen.  They had but lately made one on the coast of Maine, the details of which are given in “Ruth Fielding Down East.”  Earlier in her career as a screen writer the girl of the Red Mill had made a success of a subject which was photographed in the mining country of the West.  “Ruth Fielding in the Saddle” tells the story of this venture.

There spun through her half-drowsing brain scenes of the Wild West Show they had attended this day.  That was surely “outdoor stuff.”  Was there anything in what she had seen to-day to suggest a novel scheme for a moving picture?

She turned and tossed.  Her eyes would not remain closed.  The program of Dakota Joe’s Wild West and Frontier Round-Up marched in sequence through her memory.  She did not want anything like that in her picture.  It was all “old stuff,” and the crying need of the film producer is “something new under the sun.”

Yet there was color and action in much of the afternoon’s performance.  Even Dakota Joe himself—­as the figure of a villain, for instance—­was not to be scorned.  And Princess Wonota herself—­

If the story was up to date, showing the modern, full-blooded Indian princess in love and action!  Ruth suddenly bounded out of bed.  She grabbed a warm robe, wrapped herself in it and ran across to Jennie’s room.

“Jennie!  Jennie!  I’ve got it!” Ruth cried in a loud whisper.

Jennie’s only answer was a prolonged and pronounced snore!  She was lying on her back.

“Jennie Stone!” exclaimed Ruth, shaking the plump girl by the shoulder.

“Wo—­wow—­ough!  Is it fire?” gasped Jennie, finally aroused.

“No, no!  I’ve got it!” repeated Ruth.

“Well—­ell—­I hope it isn’t catching,” said the other rather crossly.  “You’ve spoiled—­ow!—­my beauty sleep, Ruthie Fielding.”

“Listen!” commanded her friend.  “I’ve the greatest idea for a picture.  I know Mr. Hammond will be delighted.  I am going to get Wonota on contract when she breaks with Dakota Joe.  I’ll make her the central figure of a big picture.  She shall be the leading lady.”

“Why, Ruthie Fielding! that’s something you have never yet done for me, and I have been your friend for years and years.”

“Never mind.  When it seems that the time is ripe to screen a story about a pretty, plump girl, you shall have an important part in the production,” promised Ruth.  “But listen to me—­do!  I am going to make Princess Wonota an Indian star—­”

“I believe you,” drawled the plump girl.  “I suppose you might call her a ’shooting star’?”

CHAPTER VI

EVERYBODY AGREES BUT DAKOTA JOE

An inspiration is all right—­even when it strikes one in the middle of the night.  So Jennie Stone remarked.  But there had to be something practical behind such a venture as Ruth Fielding had suggested to the sleepy girl.