Then Zeb, in spirit of mischief, uttered growl like that bears, and Jim pricked up his ears and fairly flew His boney legs moved so fast scarcely be seen, Wizard clung fast seat and yelled "Whoa ! " top voice

"I--I'm 'fraid he's--he's running away ! " gasped Dorothy

" ," said Zeb; "but no bear can catch him if he keeps up that gait-- harness or the buggy don't break "

Jim make mile minute; but almost were aware of it he drew up foot mountain, so suddenly Wizard and Zeb both sailed over the dashboard and landed soft grass--where they rolled over stopped Dorothy nearly went , but she was holding fast iron rail seat, saved her She squeezed the kitten, though, until it screeched; and then the old cab-horse made several curious sounds that led the little girl to suspect laughing at them all

10 The Braided Man of Pyramid Mountain

The mountain before them was shaped like cone and was so tall that its point was lost clouds Directly facing the place where Jim had stopped was an arched opening leading to broad stairway The stairs were cut rock inside the mountain, were broad and not very steep, because they circled around like cork-screw, and arched opening where the flight began the circle was quite big foot stairs was sign reading:

WARNING These steps lead Land Gargoyles DANGER ! KEEP OUT

"I wonder how Jim is ever going to draw the buggy up stairs," said Dorothy, gravely

"No trouble at all," declared the horse, with contemptuous neigh "Still, I don't care to drag any passengers You'll all have to walk "

"Suppose the stairs get steeper ? " suggested Zeb, doubtfully

"Then you'll have to boost the buggy-wheels, that's all," answered Jim

"We'll try it, anyway," said the Wizard "It's the only way Valley of Voe "

So they began to ascend the stairs, Dorothy Wizard first, Jim next, drawing the buggy, and then Zeb to watch that nothing happened harness

The light was dim, and soon they mounted into total darkness, so Wizard was obliged out his lanterns to light the way But this enabled them steadily until they came to landing where rift side mountain that let in both light and air Looking opening see the Valley of Voe lying far below them, the cottages seeming like toy houses distance

After resting they resumed their climb, and still the stairs were broad and low enough for Jim to draw the buggy easily after him The old horse panted little, and had to stop often his breath At such times they were all glad to wait for him, for continually climbing up stairs is sure one's legs ache

They wound about, always going upward, for The lights lanterns dimly showed the way, but gloomy journey, were pleased when broad streak of light ahead assured them they were coming to second landing

Here one side mountain had great hole , like the mouth of cavern, stairs stopped near edge floor and commenced ascending again opposite edge

The opening mountain was side opposite Valley of Voe, travellers looked out upon strange scene Below them was vast space, bottom of black sea with rolling billows, through which little tongues of flame constantly shot up Just above them, and almost on level with their platform, were banks of rolling clouds which constantly shifted position and changed color The blues and greys were very beautiful, and Dorothy noticed that cloud banks sat or reclined fleecy, shadowy forms of beautiful beings the Cloud Fairies Mortals who stand earth and look up sky cannot often distinguish these forms, but our friends were now so near clouds observed the dainty fairies very clearly

"Are they real ? " asked Zeb, in an awed voice

" ," replied Dorothy, softly " the Cloud Fairies "

"They seem like open-work," remarked the boy, gazing intently "If squeeze one, there wouldn't be anything left of it "

open space clouds black, bubbling sea far beneath, seen an occasional strange bird winging its way swiftly air These birds were of enormous size, and reminded Zeb rocs he had read about Arabian Nights They had fierce eyes and sharp talons and beaks, children hoped would venture cavern

"Well, I declare ! " suddenly exclaimed the little Wizard "What ? "

They turned around and found man standing floor center cave, who bowed very politely when he had attracted their attention very old man, bent nearly double; but the queerest thing about him was his white hair and beard These were reached feet, and both the hair beard were carefully plaited into many braids, end of each braid fastened with bow of colored ribbon

"Where did you come from ? " asked Dorothy, wonderingly

"No place at all," answered the man braids; " , not recently Once I lived on top the earth, but for many years my factory spot--half way up Pyramid Mountain "

"Are we only half way up ? " enquired the boy, in discouraged tone

"I believe so, my lad," replied the braided man "But as never been in either direction, down or up, since I arrived, positive whether exactly half way or not "

" factory place ? " asked the Wizard, who examining the strange personage carefully

" ," said the other " great inventor, know, and I manufacture my products lonely spot "

" your products ? " enquired the Wizard

"Well, I make Assorted Flutters for flags and bunting, and superior grade of Rustles for ladies' silk gowns "

" so," said the Wizard, with sigh "May we examine articles ? "

"Yes, indeed; come into my shop, please," braided man turned and led the way into smaller cave, where he evidently lived Here, on broad shelf, were several card-board boxes of various sizes, each tied with cotton cord

"This," said the man, taking up box and handling it gently, "contains twelve dozen rustles--enough to last any lady year buy it, my dear ? " he asked, addressing Dorothy

"My gown isn't silk," she said, smiling

"Never mind open the box the rustles will escape, whether wearing silk dress or not," said the man, seriously Then he picked up another box " ," he continued, "are many assorted flutters invaluable flags flutter on still day, when no wind You, sir," turning Wizard, " this assortment Once tried my goods never be without them "

" no money with me," said the Wizard, evasively

" want money," returned the braided man, "for spend it deserted place if I had it But like blue hair-ribbon notice my braids are tied with yellow, pink, brown, red, green, white and black; but no blue ribbons "

"I'll get you one ! " cried Dorothy, who was sorry poor man; so she ran back buggy and took from her suit-case pretty blue ribbon It did her good how the braided man's eyes sparkled when he received this treasure

"You me very, very happy, my dear ! " he exclaimed; and then he insisted Wizard taking the box of flutters little girl accepting the box of rustles

" need them, ," , "and really no use in my manufacturing these things unless somebody uses them "

"Why did you leave the surface earth ? " enquired the Wizard