The child had kissed her uncle and aunt affectionately before she went upstairs, and now she looked around her little room rather wistfully, gazing simple trinkets and worn calico and gingham dresses, as were old friends She was tempted at first bundle , yet she knew that of no use to her in her future life

She sat down upon broken-backed chair--the the room contained--and holding Toto in her arms waited patiently until the clock struck four

Then she made the secret signal that agreed upon between her and Ozma

Uncle Henry and Aunt Em waited downstairs They were uneasy and excited, is practical humdrum world, and it seemed quite impossible that their little niece could vanish from her home and travel instantly to fairyland

So they watched the stairs, which seemed the only way that Dorothy could get farmhouse, watched them They heard the clock strike four but no sound from above

Half-past four came, and now they were too impatient to wait any longer Softly, they crept up the stairs door little girl's room

"Dorothy ! Dorothy ! " they called

no answer

They opened the door and looked in

The room was empty

3 How Ozma Granted Dorothy's Request

I suppose read magnificent Emerald City little need to describe it here Capital City Land of Oz, justly considered the most attractive and delightful fairyland in all the world

The Emerald City is built all of beautiful marbles are set profusion of emeralds, exquisitely cut and of very great size other jewels used decorations inside the houses and palaces, such as rubies, diamonds, sapphires, amethysts and turquoises But streets and outside buildings only emeralds appear, circumstance the place is named the Emerald City of Oz It has nine thousand, six hundred and fifty-four buildings, lived fifty-seven thousand three hundred and eighteen people, time my story opens

All the surrounding country, extending borders desert which enclosed it upon every side, was full of pretty and comfortable farmhouses, resided those inhabitants of Oz who preferred country to city life

Altogether there were more than half million people Land of Oz--although , soon learn, made of flesh and blood --and every inhabitant favored country was happy and prosperous

No disease of any sort was ever known Ozites, and so no one ever died unless he met with an accident that prevented him from living This happened very seldom, indeed There were no poor people Land of Oz, because no such thing as money, and all property of every sort belonged Ruler The people were her children, and she cared Each person was given freely by his neighbors whatever he required use, as may reasonably desire Some tilled the lands and raised great crops of grain, divided equally entire population, all had enough There were many tailors and dressmakers and shoemakers like, things that any who desired them might wear Likewise there were jewelers ornaments person, which pleased and beautified the people, and these ornaments also were free who asked Each man and woman, no matter what he or she produced good community, was supplied neighbors with food and clothing and house and furniture and ornaments and games If by chance the supply ever ran short, more was taken great storehouses Ruler, which were afterward filled up again when more of any article people needed

worked half the time and played half the time, people enjoyed the work the play, because good occupied and something There were no cruel overseers set to watch them, and no one to rebuke them or fault So was proud all friends and neighbors, and was glad when accept the things he produced

know by what here told you, Land of Oz was remarkable country suppose such an arrangement practical , but Dorothy assures me works finely Oz people

Oz being fairy country, the people were, , fairy people; but mean that all were very unlike the people own world There were all sorts of queer characters among them, but not single one who was evil, or who possessed selfish or violent nature They were peaceful, kind hearted, loving and merry, and every inhabitant adored the beautiful girl who ruled them and delighted to obey her every command

of all said in general way, there were some parts Land of Oz not quite so pleasant farming country Emerald City its center Far away South Country there lived mountains band of strange people called Hammer-Heads, because they had no arms and used their flat heads to pound who came near them Their necks were like rubber, shoot out their heads to quite distance, and afterward draw them back again shoulders The Hammer-Heads were called the "Wild People," but never harmed any but those who disturbed them mountains where they lived

In dense forests there lived great beasts of every sort; yet these were most part harmless and even sociable, and conversed agreeably with those who visited their haunts The Kalidahs--beasts with bodies like bears and heads like tigers--had once been fierce and bloodthirsty, but even they were now nearly all tamed, although at times one or another would get cross and disagreeable

Not so tame were the Fighting Trees, which had forest own If approached them these curious trees would bend down their branches, twine them around the intruders, and hurl them away

But these unpleasant things existed only in few remote parts Land of Oz I suppose every country has some drawbacks, so even this almost perfect fairyland quite perfect Once there wicked witches land, too; but now these had all been destroyed; so, as , only peace and happiness reigned in Oz

For Ozma had ruled over this fair country, and never was Ruler more popular or beloved said the most beautiful girl the world has ever known, and her heart and mind are as lovely as her person

Dorothy Gale had visited the Emerald City and experienced adventures Land of Oz, she and Ozma had now become firm friends The girl Ruler had even made Dorothy Princess of Oz, and had often implored her to Ozma's stately palace and live there always; but Dorothy loyal to her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, who had cared for her since she was baby, and she had refused to leave them because she knew lonely without her

However, Dorothy now realized that things were going different with her uncle and aunt time forth, so after giving the matter deep thought she decided to ask Ozma to grant her very great favor

few seconds after she had made the secret signal in her little bedchamber, the Kansas girl was seated in lovely room in Ozma's palace Emerald City of Oz first loving kisses and embraces exchanged, the fair Ruler inquired:

" the matter, dear ? something unpleasant has happened , for your face was very sober when it in my Magic Picture And whenever you signal me to transport you safe place, where always welcome, in danger or in trouble "

Dorothy sighed

" , Ozma, it isn't I," she replied "But it's worse, I guess, for Uncle Henry and Aunt Em are in heap of trouble, and there seems no way out of it--anyhow, not while they live in Kansas "

"Tell me , Dorothy," said Ozma, with ready sympathy

"Why, Uncle Henry is poor; farm in Kansas doesn't 'mount to much, as farms go So one day Uncle Henry borrowed some money, and wrote letter saying that if he didn't pay the money back take his farm for pay Course he 'spected by making money farm; but he just couldn't An' so they're going to farm, and Uncle Henry and Aunt Em won't have any place to live They're pretty old much hard work, Ozma; so I'll have to work , unless--"

Ozma thoughtful during the story, but now she smiled and pressed her little friend's hand

"Unless what, dear ? " she asked

Dorothy hesitated, because her request meant all

"Well," said she, "I'd like to live here Land of Oz, where you've often 'vited me to live But 't, , unless Uncle Henry and Aunt Em could live here too "

" not," exclaimed the Ruler of Oz, laughing gaily "So, you, little friend, invite your Uncle and Aunt to live in Oz, also "

"Oh, , Ozma ? " cried Dorothy, clasping her chubby little hands eagerly " bring them here Magic Belt, and give them nice little farm Munchkin Country, or the Winkie Country--or some other place ? "

" ," answered Ozma, full of joy chance her little friend " long been thinking very thing, Dorothy dear, and often it in my mind to propose it your uncle and aunt good and worthy people, or love them ; and for YOUR friends, Princess, always room Land of Oz "

Dorothy was delighted, yet not altogether surprised, for she had clung Ozma kind enough to grant her request When, indeed, had her powerful and faithful friend refused her anything ?

"But not call me 'Princess'," she said; "for live little farm with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em, and princesses ought not to live on farms "

"Princess Dorothy will not," replied Ozma with her sweet smile " going to live in your own rooms palace, and be my constant companion "

"But Uncle Henry--" began Dorothy