"Moo ! " bellowed the cow, lowering her head threateningly

"That's just what do," sniffed Scrapper, "move on ! " At Scrapper's words, the Spool of Succession, it waiting for signal, zipped under the cow, dragging both ministers along, and way it behaved next half hour, convinced that some mighty bad magic had gone into its making It rushed furiously under fences, over which the breathless Quilties were forced to climb, 'round and 'round trees, till they were almost too dizzy to stand, up hills and down hills, through stickery bushes and over sharp stones It even dragged them head first into muddy river

"Let's go home," blubbered Piecer, shaking himself like big dog Fortunately the Quilties could swim, but swimming in quilted trousers and coats was no fun at all and, dripping water and mud, the two sovereign seekers felt more depressed than ever

"It's bewitched," insisted Piecer, tugging at Scrapper's coat-tails "Let's go back ! "

But Scrapper stubbornly shook his head and trudged stubbornly mischievous Spool of Succession unwinding quite deliber-ately now, but leading them deep into dangerous looking forest

" Cross Patch had never gone to pieces," moaned Piecer dismally "I don't care who's Imperial Potentate someone else had my position -"

"There's sign," interrupted Scrapper "Look ! It says 'Emerald City, thirty-five miles' "

"Emerald City ! " panted Piecer, forgetting his weariness for moment "Why, that's the capital of Oz Patches and pincushions ! Why, I never expected the Emerald City ! Maybe our next Queen's capital, old fellow ! "

"Well, then she ought capital Queen," sighed Scrapper, leaning over to untwine bramble left shin, "but who wants to walk thirty-five miles ? "

As he straightened up, the gold spool whirled between two tall trees and came to complete standstill on short foot-path rustic railing ran along the edge path and, taking hold railing, Scrapper began looking anxiously around future ruler of Patch

"Do anything ? " he queried, looking over his shoulder

"No, but something," grunted Piecer, peering anxiously down at his feet "Beeswax and basting threads ! "

Next instant both Quilties leapt air Then, taking firmer hold railing and on , they clung desperately together, foot-path, rising up on its hundred broad feet, was rushing like the wind gloomy forest

"Are-we-going-to-pieces ? " shouted the Prime Piecer, not daring to open his eyes

Cautiously Scrapper opened one eye first thing that met his gaze was neat notice tacked rustic railing only blur, so fast were they travelling, but opening the other eye he managed to decipher it

"This foot-path runs straight Emerald City Hold tight No stamping or kicking allowed

"Private Property Wizard of Oz "

"Well, hurrah ! " exclaimed Scrapper, thump-ing his companion chest "We're not going to pieces, we're going Emerald City ! Going ! Going ! Why, here ! "

were too Right gates loveliest city in Oz The foot-path, having accomplished its journey in minute, now tilted its passengers rudely off and, coiling up like serpent, went to sleep under lime drop tree Too overcome anything but blink gleaming spires and turrets capital, the two simple Quilties stood stunned and still But business-like tug gold thread brought them out trance

The Spool of Succession had slid off the path and was now rolling gaily gates city Holding fast to one another, and scarcely daring to breathe, the fat little ministers of Patch went tiptoeing golden spool ######################## CHAPTER 2

The New Queen Quilties

THE EMERALD CITY, which Scrapper and Piecer were now entering, capital of Oz and lies exact center merry and magical Kingdom Oz, of , is funny and fascinating fairyland, oblong in shape and surrounded, for protection, by deadly desert of sand four large countries in Oz; the yellow Winkie Land East, the purple Gillikin country North, the blue Munchkin country West red lands Quadlings South Each four countries is divided into many smaller countries Patch seven hundred and fifth, but all are subject to one ruler and governed by laws laid down Queen realm

The rulers of Oz always lived capital, because so central and convenient, but because most beautiful and enchanting city whole fairy world Its cottages and castle fairly twinkle with emeralds and these precious stones, studding the walls and even the marble walks, give the air soft glow and shimmer, making gardens greener, fountains more sparkling and everything more glittering and gay

Ozma, little girl fairy, present ruler of Oz wisest and gentlest sovereign the fairy country has ever known With her Emerald City live fifty seven thousand, three hundred and eighteen gay Ozites and nearly hundred celebrities, for Ozma has invited to her court the most interesting characters from her four fairy kingdoms

The Scarecrow, lively fellow stuffed with straw, is perhaps the most famous, He has palace own, but is frequent visitor capital Then the Tin Woodman, who rules over the Winkies splendidly polished gentleman of tin, and Sir Hokus of Pokes, knight seven centuries old, Jack Pumpkinhead, singular person carved from wood with large pumpkin for head, Tik Tok, machine man who winds up like clock and does everything but live, the famous Wizard of Oz and more that twenty histories have already been written about their queer doings

late afternoon, two bewildered Quilties trod timidly down the streets capital, Ozma was busily conferring with Princess Dorothy about curtains Dorothy is little Kansas girl, who was blown to Oz in cyclone and later Princess and invited to live palace Ozma's favorite adviser and helps her rule over the turbulent tribes of Oz, but is consulted about everything, even such small matters as new ribbons palace pets or, as now, about castle curtains Choosing curtains is fun and there were colors and fabrics, it took the two girls quite to decide They had about settled on green taffeta, edged with gold fringe, when terrified cry came echoing in garden

"What ? " cried Dorothy, and dropping roll of taffeta, she rushed window Ozma followed quickly and, in some alarm, the two stared down over the flowered slopes and green terraces But not soul was in sight and after waiting for another scream, they concluded first shout of some mischievous boy and gaily returned curtains Had they looked five minutes sooner, been surprised indeed Five minutes before Scrapper and Piecer, toiling breathlessly Spool of Succession, had run straight palace garden Darting here and there, it had led them to secluded grape arbor On green bench under the arbor sat most amazing young lady, and two Quilties stared at her in perfect astonishment and admiration the golden spool stopped at her feet

It Patchwork Girl, very jolliest of Ozma's subjects She made originally by wizard's wife out of an old crazy quilt and neatly stuffed with cotton Her eyes were silver suspender buttons, her tongue piece of red velvet and her hair bunch of yarn that refused to stay down Margolotte, the wizard's wife, had intended Scraps for servant, but wizard mixed up her brains double portion of fun and cleverness had got in by mistake When he brought her to life, Scraps refused to work and ran off Emerald City where she has lived , making life lively for everyone and having more fun herself than cageful of monkeys Being constructed from crazy quilt makes her exceedingly reckless and gay and as more than half her conversation is in verse, Scraps is most amusing and delightful companion weary and already homesick Quilties she seemed vision of perfect loveliness

"Superb ! " gloated Piecer, throwing both arms round Scrapper's neck excitement

"A beauty ! " exulted Scrapper, returning Piecer's embrace with interest Indeed, so delighted were they appearance future sovereign began to dance up and down and fairly hug one another for joy sharp exclamation Patchwork Girl made them stop

"Ragmen apply rear ! " cried Scraps, pointing imperiously toward the back castle

"Ragmen ! " The Quilties exchanged indignant glances The spool had led them such chase that their clothes were torn and dusty bag over Piecer's shoulder added convincing touch picture No wonder Scraps thought them ragmen Piecer was about to explain, but Scrapper, afraid bewitching damsel might escape them, rushed forward impetuously and seized her hand

"Scat ! " screamed the Patchwork Girl, snatch-ing it angrily away "What take me for ? "

"Because to," confided the Chief Scrapper mysteriously "We take you for what , Queen Three cheers Queen Quilties ! " wheezed Scrapper, signaling slyly to Piecer And while the Patchwork Girl fell back, stiff with astonishment, Piecer clapped the bag over her head Then together the two little Quilties shook her down bottom and pulled the string tight It frightened scream of Scraps, as she disappeared rag bag that Dorothy and Ozma had heard, but they reached the window, she was garden Thrusting sharp stick neck sack, the Ministers of Patch hoisted it shoulders and, bag itself swinging violently , started on run gates never have succeeded in kidnapping Scraps nor escaping unobserved had it not been foot-path After short nap it had grown curious two strangers it had brought city and pattering royal garden began to search Usually the Wizard of Oz kept this mischievous piece of property tied up when not in use, but today he had forgotten and, enjoying its holiday, the little foot-path was running perfectly wild Coming upon Piecer and Scrapper dashed headlong over flower beds and borders, it scooped them neatly up and by short, little known route carried them straight Emerald City

For time the Quilties were too shocked to realize what had happened Then Scrapper, shaken out stupor by terrible jolt foot-path jumped over boulder, gasped weakly "Why, it's the same flying path that brought us capital ! "

"Yes, but where flying now ? " wailed Piecer, tightening his hold rag bag Inside Scraps was thrashing around in frantic effort to escape, her screams and threats somewhat muffled collection of pieces already bag "Can't we steer it ? " panted the Prime Piecer wildly, "or stop it or some-thing ? " Scrapper shook his head violently, then catching sight of green card tacked rustic railing fairly pounced upon it