" they ? " asked the boy

"The four nations that inhabit the Land of Oz," reply "I wonder treat me nicely if I went there again "

" ! " declared Dorothy " still proud former Wizard, and often speak of you kindly "

" happen whatever became Tin Woodman Scarecrow ? " he enquired

"They live in Oz yet," said the girl, " people "

" Cowardly Lion ? "

"Oh, he lives there too, friend the Hungry Tiger; and Billina , because she liked the place better than Kansas, and wouldn't go with me to Australia "

"I'm afraid I don't know the Hungry Tiger and Billina," said the Wizard, shaking his head "Is Billina girl ? "

"No; she's yellow hen, and great friend You're sure to like Billina, know her," asserted Dorothy

"Your friends sound like menagerie," remarked Zeb, uneasily "Couldn't you wish me in some safer place than Oz "

"Don't worry," replied the girl "You'll just love the folks in Oz, get acquainted What time , Mr Wizard ? "

The little man looked at his watch--a big silver one that he carried vest pocket

"Half-past three,"

"Then wait for half an hour," she continued; "but it won't take long, , to carry us all Emerald City "

They sat silently thinking for time Then Jim suddenly asked:

"Are there any horses in Oz ? "

" ," replied Dorothy, "and he's sawhorse "

"A what ? "

"A sawhorse Princess Ozma once brought him to life with witch-powder, when she was boy "

"Was Ozma once boy ? " asked Zeb, wonderingly

"Yes; wicked witch enchanted her, so rule her kingdom But she's girl now, sweetest, loveliest girl in all the world "

"A sawhorse is thing they saw boards on," remarked Jim, with sniff

" when it's not alive," acknowledged the girl "But this sawhorse can trot as fast , Jim; and he's very wise, too "

"Pah ! I'll race the miserable wooden donkey any day week ! " cried the cab-horse

Dorothy reply She felt that Jim would know more Saw-Horse later on

The time dragged wearily enough eager watchers, but finally the Wizard announced that four o'clock had arrived, and Dorothy caught up the kitten and began to signal that agreed upon far-away invisible Ozma

"Nothing seems to happen," said Zeb, doubtfully

"Oh, give Ozma time Magic Belt," replied the girl

She had scarcely spoken the words then she suddenly disappeared cave, and with her went the kitten There no sound of any kind and no warning One moment Dorothy sat beside them kitten in her lap, and moment later the horse, the piglets, the Wizard boy were all that remained underground prison

"I believe soon follow her," announced the Wizard, in tone of great relief; "for something magic fairyland called the Land of Oz be ready, for sent for any minute "

He put the piglets safely away pocket again and then he and Zeb got buggy and sat expectantly seat

"Will it hurt ? " asked the boy, in voice that trembled little

"Not at all," replied the Wizard " all happen as quick as wink "

way it did happen

The cab-horse gave nervous start and Zeb began to rub his eyes sure not asleep For they were streets of beautiful emerald-green city, bathed in grateful green light that was especially pleasing eyes, and surrounded by merry faced people in gorgeous green-and-gold costumes of many extraordinary designs

Before them were the jewel-studded gates of magnificent palace, and now the gates opened slowly inviting them to enter the courtyard, where splendid flowers were blooming and pretty fountains shot their silvery sprays air

Zeb shook the reins to rouse the cab-horse stupor of amazement, people were beginning to gather around and stare strangers

"Gid-dap ! " cried the boy, and word Jim slowly trotted courtyard and drew the buggy along the jewelled driveway great entrance royal palace

15 Old Friends are Reunited

Many servants dressed in handsome uniforms stood ready to welcome the new arrivals, and Wizard got buggy pretty girl in green gown cried out in surprise:

"Why, it's Oz, the Wonderful Wizard, come back again ! "

The little man looked at her closely and then took both the maiden's hands and shook them cordially

"On my word," he exclaimed, "it's little Jellia Jamb--as pert and pretty as ever ! "

" , Mr Wizard ? " asked Jellia, bowing low "But I'm afraid rule the Emerald City, used to, because we now have beautiful Princess whom everyone loves dearly "

" people will not willingly part with her," added tall soldier in Captain-General's uniform

The Wizard turned to look at him

"Did you not wear green whiskers at ? " he asked

"Yes," said the soldier; "but I shaved them off , and since then risen from private the Chief General Royal Armies "

"That's nice," said the little man "But I assure you, my good people, that wish to rule the Emerald City," he added, earnestly

" case very welcome ! " cried all the servants, and it pleased the Wizard to note the respect the royal retainers bowed before him His fame forgotten Land of Oz, by any means

"Where is Dorothy ? " enquired Zeb, anxiously, as he left the buggy and stood beside his friend the little Wizard

" Princess Ozma, private rooms palace," replied Jellia Jamb "But she has ordered me you welcome and to show you to your apartments "

The boy looked around him with wondering eyes Such magnificence and wealth as was displayed palace was more than he had ever dreamed of, and scarcely believe that all the gorgeous glitter was real and not tinsel

"What's of me ? " asked the horse, uneasily He had seen considerable of life cities younger days, and knew regal palace was no place for him

It perplexed even Jellia Jamb, for time, what animal The green maiden was much astonished sight of so unusual creature, for horses were unknown Land; but those who lived Emerald City were apt astonished by queer sights, so after inspecting the cab-horse and noting the mild look big eyes the girl decided not afraid of him

" no stables here," said the Wizard, "unless some built since I went away "

" never needed them before," answered Jellia; " Sawhorse lives in room palace, being much smaller and more natural in appearance than this great beast brought "

" that I'm freak ? " asked Jim, angrily

"Oh, no," she hastened , " many more like you place you came from, but in Oz any horse but Sawhorse is unusual "

This mollified Jim little, and after some thought the green maiden decided the cab-horse room palace, such big building having many rooms that were seldom in use

So Zeb unharnessed Jim, and several servants then led the horse around rear, where they selected nice large apartment that he all to himself

Then Jellia said Wizard:

"Your own room-- back great Throne Room-- vacant you left us Would you like it again ? "

"Yes, indeed ! " returned the little man " seem like being at home again, for I lived room for many, many years "

the way , and servant followed him, carrying his satchel Zeb was also escorted to room--so grand and beautiful that he almost feared to sit chairs or lie bed, lest he might dim their splendor closets he discovered many fancy costumes of rich velvets and brocades, and attendants told him to dress himself in any clothes that pleased him and prepared to dine Princess and Dorothy in an hour's time

Opening chamber was fine bathroom having marble tub with perfumed water; so the boy, still dazed novelty surroundings, indulged in good bath and then selected maroon velvet costume with silver buttons to replace his own soiled and much worn clothing There were silk stockings and soft leather slippers with diamond buckles to accompany his new costume, and when fully dressed Zeb looked much more dignified and imposing than ever before life

all ready when an attendant came to escort him presence Princess; he followed bashfully and was ushered into room more dainty and attractive than splendid Here Dorothy seated beside young girl so marvelously beautiful boy stopped suddenly with gasp of admiration

But Dorothy sprang up and ran to seize her friend's hand drawing him impulsively toward the lovely Princess, who smiled most graciously upon her guest Then the Wizard entered, presence relieved the boy's embarrassment The little man was clothed in black velvet, with many sparkling emerald ornaments decorating his breast; but his bald head and wrinkled features made him appear more amusing than impressive

Ozma quite curious to meet the famous man who had built the Emerald City and united the Munchkins, Gillikins, Quadlings and Winkies into one people; so were all four seated dinner table the Princess said: