"What propose ? " asked the monarch

"I propose to obtain the power ," answered Guph " evil creatures magic powers sufficient to destroy and conquer the Land of Oz get them side, band them all together, and then take Ozma and her people by surprise It's all very simple and easy know how Alone, helpless to injure the Ruler of Oz, but aid evil powers summon easily succeed "

King Roquat was delighted idea, for he realized how clever

"Surely, Guph, the greatest General ever had ! " he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with joy " go at once and make arrangements evil powers to assist us, and meantime I'll begin to dig the tunnel "

" you'd agree with me, Roquat," replied the new General "I'll start this very afternoon to visit the Chief Whimsies "

5 How Dorothy Became Princess

people Emerald City heard that Dorothy had returned was eager her, little girl was general favorite Land of Oz folk great outside world had found their way fairyland, but all except one companions of Dorothy and had turned out very agreeable people The exception I speak of wonderful Wizard of Oz, sleight-of-hand performer from Omaha who went up in balloon and was carried by current of air Emerald City His queer and puzzling tricks made the people of Oz believe him great wizard for time, and he ruled over them until Dorothy arrived on her first visit and showed the Wizard mere humbug gentle, kind-hearted little man, and Dorothy grew to like him afterward When, after an absence, the Wizard returned Land of Oz, Ozma received him graciously and gave him home in part palace

Wizard two other personages outside world allowed their home Emerald City The first was quaint Shaggy Man, whom Ozma had made the Governor Royal Storehouses, second Yellow Hen named Billina, who had fine house gardens back palace, where she looked after large family Both these old comrades of Dorothy, so the little girl was quite an important personage in Oz, people thought she had brought them good luck, and loved her next best to Ozma During her several visits this little girl the means of destroying two wicked witches who oppressed the people, and she had discovered live scarecrow who was now popular personages in all the fairy country Scarecrow's help she had rescued Nick Chopper, Tin Woodman, who had rusted in lonely forest, tin man was now the Emperor Country Winkies and much beloved because kind heart No wonder the people thought Dorothy had brought them good luck ! Yet, strange as it may seem, she had accomplished all these wonders not because she was fairy or had any magical powers whatever, but because she was simple, sweet and true little girl who was honest to herself and to all whom she met world we live simplicity and kindness are the only magic wands that work wonders, and Land of Oz Dorothy found these same qualities had won for her the love and admiration people Indeed, the little girl had made many warm friends fairy country, only real grief the Ozites had ever experienced was when Dorothy left them and returned to her Kansas home

Now she received joyful welcome, although no one except Ozma knew at first that she had finally come to stay for good and all

That evening Dorothy had many callers, and among them were such important people as Tiktok, machine man who thought and spoke and moved by clockwork; her old companion the genial Shaggy Man; Jack Pumpkinhead, whose body was brush-wood and whose head was ripe pumpkin with face carved upon it; the Cowardly Lion Hungry Tiger, two great beasts forest, who served Princess Ozma, and Professor H M Wogglebug, T E This wogglebug was remarkable creature He had once been tiny little bug, crawling around in school-room, but discovered and highly magnified be seen more plainly, and while magnified condition he had escaped He had always remained big, and he dressed like dandy and was so full of knowledge and information (which are distinct acquirements) that he made Professor head Royal College

Dorothy had nice visit old friends, and also talked Wizard, who was little and old and withered and dried up, but as merry and active as child Afterward, she went Billina's fast-growing family of chicks

Toto, Dorothy's little black dog, also met with cordial reception Toto was an especial friend Shaggy Man, and else Being the only dog Land of Oz, highly respected people, who believed animals entitled to every consideration behaved themselves properly

Dorothy had four lovely rooms palace, which were always reserved for her use and were called "Dorothy's rooms " These consisted of beautiful sitting room, dressing room, dainty bedchamber and big marble bathroom And rooms were everything that heart could desire, placed there with loving thoughtfulness by Ozma for her little friend's use The royal dressmakers had the little girl's measure, so they kept the closets in her dressing room filled with lovely dresses of every description and suitable for every occasion No wonder Dorothy had refrained from bringing with her her old calico and gingham dresses ! Here everything that was dear to little girl's heart was supplied in profusion, and nothing so rich and beautiful could ever found biggest department stores in America Dorothy enjoyed all these luxuries, only reason she had heretofore preferred to live in Kansas was because her uncle and aunt loved her and needed her

Now, however, all was changed, and Dorothy was really more delighted that her dear relatives were to share in her good fortune and enjoy the delights Land of Oz, than she was to possess such luxury for herself

Next morning, at Ozma's request, Dorothy dressed herself in pretty sky-blue gown of rich silk, trimmed with real pearls The buckles of her shoes were set with pearls, too, and more priceless gems were on lovely coronet which she wore upon her forehead "For," said her friend Ozma, " time forth, my dear, assume your rightful rank as Princess of Oz, and being my chosen companion dress in way befitting the dignity of your position "

Dorothy agreed , although she knew that neither gowns nor jewels could make her anything else simple, unaffected little girl she had always been

they had breakfasted--the girls eating together in Ozma's pretty boudoir--the Ruler of Oz said:

"Now, dear friend, use the Magic Belt to transport your uncle and aunt from Kansas Emerald City But it fitting, in receiving such distinguished guests, to sit in my Throne Room "

"Oh, they're not very 'stinguished, Ozma," said Dorothy "They're just plain people, like me "

"Being your friends and relatives, Princess Dorothy, certainly distinguished," replied the Ruler, with smile

"They--they won't hardly know what of all your splendid furniture and things," protested Dorothy, gravely "It may scare 'em your grand Throne Room, an' p'raps we'd better go back yard, Ozma, where the cabbages grow an' the chickens are playing Then it would seem more natural to Uncle Henry and Aunt Em "

"No; they shall first see me in my Throne Room," replied Ozma, decidedly; and when she spoke tone Dorothy knew not wise to oppose her, for Ozma was accustomed to having her own way

So together they went Throne Room, an immense domed chamber center palace Here stood the royal throne, made of solid gold and encrusted with enough precious stones to stock dozen jewelry stores country

Ozma, who was wearing the Magic Belt, seated herself throne, and Dorothy sat at her feet room were assembled many ladies and gentlemen court, clothed in rich apparel and wearing fine jewelry Two immense animals squatted, one on each side throne--the Cowardly Lion Hungry Tiger In balcony high up dome an orchestra played sweet music, and beneath the dome two electric fountains sent sprays of colored perfumed water shooting up nearly as high arched ceiling

" ready, Dorothy ? " asked the Ruler

" ," replied Dorothy; "but I don't know whether Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are ready "

"That won't matter," declared Ozma "The old life very little to interest them, sooner they begin the new life here the happier Here , my dear ! "

As she spoke, there throne appeared Uncle Henry and Aunt Em, who for moment stood motionless, glaring with white and startled faces scene that confronted them ladies and gentlemen present so polite laughed two strangers

Aunt Em had her calico dress skirt "tucked up," and she wore faded, blue-checked apron Her hair was rather straggly and she had on pair of Uncle Henry's old slippers In one hand she held dish-towel and other cracked earthenware plate, which she engaged in wiping when so suddenly transported Land of Oz

Uncle Henry, summons came, out barn "doin' chores " He wore ragged and much soiled straw hat, checked shirt without any collar and blue overalls tucked tops old cowhide boots

"By gum ! " gasped Uncle Henry, looking around bewildered

"Well, I swan ! " gurgled Aunt Em in hoarse, frightened voice Then her eyes fell upon Dorothy, and she said: "D-d-d-don't that look like our little girl--our Dorothy, Henry ? "

"Hi, there--look out, Em ! " exclaimed the old man, as Aunt Em advanced step; "take care o' the wild beastses, or you're goner ! "

But now Dorothy sprang forward and embraced and kissed her aunt and uncle affectionately, afterward taking their hands in her own

"Don't be afraid," she said " now Land of Oz, where to live always, and be comfer'ble an' happy You'll never have to worry over anything again, 'cause there won't be anything to worry about And you owe it all kindness friend Princess Ozma "

Here she led them throne and continued: