Even Ozma seemed to hesitate She was silent and thoughtful for little while, looking rolling drifts that were so gray and forbidding Finally she said:

"I believe Mist Valley, where these moist clouds always remain, for even the sunshine above drive them away Therefore the Mist Maids must live here, and fairies and should answer my call "

She placed her two hands before her mouth, forming hollow , and uttered clear, thrilling, bird- like cry It floated far out over the mist waves and presently was answered by similar sound, as of far- off echo

Dorothy was much impressed She had seen many strange things since coming fairy country, but here was new experience At ordinary times Ozma was just like any little girl one might chance to meet -- simple, merry, lovable as -- yet with certain reserve that lent her dignity in her most joyous moods There were times, however, when seated on her throne and commanding her subjects, or when her fairy powers were called into use, when Dorothy and all others about her stood in awe lovely girl Ruler and realized her superiority

Ozma waited Presently out billows rose beautiful forms, clothed in fleecy, trailing garments of gray that could scarcely be distinguished mist Their hair was mist-color, too; only their gleaming arms and sweet, pallid faces proved they were living, intelligent creatures answering the call of sister fairy

Like sea nymphs they rested bosom clouds, their eyes turned questioningly two girls who stood bank One came quite near and to her Ozma said:

" take us opposite hillside ? afraid to venture mist Princess Ozma of Oz, and my friend Dorothy, Princess of Oz "

The Mist Maids came nearer, holding out their arms Without hesitation Ozma advanced and allowed them to embrace her and Dorothy plucked up courage Very gently the Mist Maids held them Dorothy thought the arms were cold and misty -- they didn't seem real at all -- yet they supported the two girls above the surface billows and floated so swiftly green hillside opposite girls were astonished themselves set grass realized they had fairly started

" ! " said Ozma gratefully, and Dorothy also added her thanks service

The Mist Maids made no answer, but they smiled and waved their hands in good-bye as again they floated out mist and disappeared from view

Chapter Four

The Magic Tent

"Well," said Dorothy with laugh, "that was easier than I expected It's worth while, sometimes, real fairy But I wouldn't like that kind, and live in dreadful fog all the time "

They now climbed the bank and found before them delightful plain that spread for miles in all directions Fragrant wild flowers were scattered grass; there were bushes bearing lovely blossoms and luscious fruits; group of stately trees added beauty landscape But there were no dwellings or signs of life

The farther side plain was bordered by row of palms, and just in front palms rose queerly shaped hill that towered above the plain like mountain The sides hill were straight up and down; oblong in shape top seemed flat and level

"Oh, ho ! " cried Dorothy; "I'll bet that's the mountain Glinda told us of, where the Flatheads live "

" ," replied Ozma, "the Lake Skeezers just beyond the line of palm trees walk that far, Dorothy ? "

" , ," prompt answer "I'm sorry we had to leave the Sawhorse Red Wagon behind us, for they'd come in handy just now; but end journey in sight tramp across these pretty green fields won't tire us bit "

longer tramp than they suspected, however, and night overtook them could reach the flat mountain So Ozma proposed they camp night and Dorothy was quite ready to approve She didn't like to admit to her friend she was tired, but she told herself that her legs "had prickers in 'em," meaning they had begun to ache

Usually when Dorothy started on journey of exploration or adventure, she carried with her basket of food, and other things that traveler in strange country might require, but away with Ozma was quite different thing, as experience had taught her The fairy Ruler of Oz only needed her silver wand -- tipped at one end with great sparkling emerald -- magic all that need Therefore Ozma, having halted with her companion and selected smooth, grassy spot plain, waved her wand in graceful curves and chanted some mystic words in her sweet voice, and in an instant handsome tent appeared before them The canvas was striped purple and white, and center pole fluttered the royal banner of Oz

"Come, dear," said Ozma, taking Dorothy's hand, " hungry and I'm sure also; so go in our feast "

On entering the tent they found table set for two, with snowy linen, bright silver and sparkling glassware, vase of roses center and many dishes of delicious food, some smoking hot, waiting to satisfy their hunger Also, on either side tent were beds, with satin sheets, warm blankets and pillows filled with swansdown There were chairs, too, and tall lamps that lighted the interior tent with soft, rosy glow

Dorothy, resting herself at her fairy friend's command, and eating her dinner with unusual enjoyment, thought wonders of magic If one were fairy and knew the secret laws of nature mystic words and ceremonies that commanded those laws, then simple wave of silver wand would produce instantly all that men work hard and anxiously for through weary years And Dorothy wished in her kindly, innocent heart, that all fairies with silver wands, and satisfy all their needs without work and worry, for then, she imagined, all their working hours happy in But Ozma, looking into her friend's face and reading those thoughts, gave laugh and said:

"No, no, Dorothy, that wouldn't do at all Instead of happiness your plan would bring weariness world If could wave wand his wants fulfilled there little to wish for There no eager striving to obtain the difficult, for nothing would then be difficult, pleasure of earning something longed for, and only secured by hard work and careful thought, utterly lost There nothing , and no interest in life and fellow creatures all that makes life worth our while -- good deeds and to help those less fortunate than ourselves "

"Well, you're fairy, Ozma Aren't you happy ? " asked Dorothy

"Yes, dear, because use my fairy powers others happy Had I no kingdom to rule, and no subjects to look after, miserable Also, while more powerful fairy than inhabitant of Oz, not as powerful as Glinda the Sorceress, who has studied many arts of magic that nothing of Even the little Wizard of Oz can do some things unable to accomplish, while accomplish things unknown Wizard to explain that I'm not all-powerful, by any means My magic is simply fairy magic, and not sorcery or wizardry "

"All the same," said Dorothy, "I'm mighty glad make this tent appear, dinners and beds all ready "

Ozma smiled

"Yes, indeed wonderful," she agreed "Not all fairies know that sort of magic, but some fairies can do magic that fills me with astonishment what makes us modest and unassuming -- the fact magic arts are divided, some being given each of us I'm glad I don't know everything, Dorothy, there still are things in both nature and in wit to marvel at "

Dorothy couldn't quite understand this, so she said nothing more and presently had new reason to marvel For had quite finished their meal table and contents disappeared in flash

"No dishes to wash, Ozma ! " she said with laugh "I guess you'd make lot of folks happy teach 'em just that one trick "

For an hour Ozma told stories, and talked with Dorothy about various people in whom they were interested And then bedtime, undressed and crept into their soft beds and fell asleep almost their heads touched their pillows

Chapter Five

The Magic Stairway

The flat mountain looked much nearer clear light morning sun, but Dorothy and Ozma knew long tramp before them, even yet They finished dressing only warm, delicious breakfast awaiting them, and having eaten they left the tent and started toward the mountain their first goal After going little way Dorothy looked back and found fairy tent had entirely disappeared She was not surprised, for she knew happen

"Can't your magic horse an' wagon, or an automobile ? " inquired Dorothy

"No, dear; I'm sorry that such magic is beyond my power," confessed her fairy friend

"Perhaps Glinda could," said Dorothy thoughtfully

"Glinda has stork chariot that carries her air," said Ozma, "but even our great Sorceress cannot conjure up other modes of travel Don't forget what you last night, that no one is powerful enough everything "

"Well, I s'pose I ought that, having lived Land of Oz," replied Dorothy; "but 't do any magic at all, an' so 't figure out e'zactly how you an' Glinda an' the Wizard "

"Don't try," laughed Ozma "But one magical art, Dorothy: the trick of winning all hearts "

"No, I don't," said Dorothy earnestly "If I really can , Ozma, I don't know how I "

It took them good two hours to reach the foot round, flat mountain, and then they found the sides so steep were like the wall of house

"Even my purple kitten couldn't climb 'em," remarked Dorothy, gazing upward

"But some way Flatheads down and up again," declared Ozma; "otherwise they couldn't make war Skeezers, or even meet them and quarrel "

"That's so, Ozma Let's walk around ways; perhaps we'll find ladder or something "

They walked quite distance, for big mountain, and circled around it and came side that faced the palm trees, they suddenly discovered an entrance way cut rock wall This entrance was arched overhead and not very deep because it merely led to short flight of stone stairs

"Oh, we've found way top at last," announced Ozma, two girls turned and walked straight toward the entrance Suddenly they bumped against something and stood still, unable farther