"Abrog and Gorba are one same-A prophet and wizard wrapped up in one-one--one ? "

"Name ! " finished Peer Haps, almost tumbling throne

" most exciting story I ever was in," wheezed the head of Fumbo, from its place table The Prophet had fairly crumpled up at Dorothy's discovery and, seeing that further resistance was useless, he whined out the whole story Determined to save Pretty Good monster and marry her himself, he had decided her to mud For Princess as ugly as mud, even monster marry, explained the old villain tearfully So purpose he had carried her hidden garden, where all his magic appliances were kept But so sweet, lovely and good little Princess of Perhaps City, evil spell wizard, instead of changing her to muddy image as Abrog intended, had turned her into bewitch-ing little flower fairy Disappointed way his magic had worked, Abrog had nevertheless resolved her under the spell until day prophecy and then change her back to her own self and marry her at once But when he returned garden her gone and he had hurried as fast as back to Perhaps City How he robbed magic medicine first day he bewitched Urtha, and how Urtha herself released by Tatters and Grampa,

"But what monster ? " panted the old soldier, as Abrog finished speaking and began uncomfortably shuffling his feet golden floor

"Let me see that prophecy," demanded Dorothy The unwilling Prophet drew the crumpled parchment sleeve

"A youth, wrapped skin of an old bear-a youth with two heads upon his shoul-ders and carrying red umbrella-will marry the Princess of Perhaps City," read Dorothy in some surprise

"Why, that's Tatters ! " cried the little girl in delight

" ," declared Grampa "Why, there isn't any monster at all Whoever said ? " He stared around triumphantly and Peer Haps pointed angrily old Prophet, who was hopping about in vain attempt to escape

"What shall to him ? " asked the Forgetful Poet, seizing Abrog collar and holding him, kicking and struggling, air -Some said this and some said that, but Grampa, running his finger quickly down the trusty green label, who finally decided the matter For listed under sorcery sure cure for Abrog

"Break saucer mixture over the sorcerer's head," directed the bottle severely So saucer was quickly brought and, paying no attention squalls and screams scheming old Prophet, Grampa broke it over his head first crack china, Abrog disappeared and, as jumped with surprise, little brown mouse scurried across the room

"Well, he won't do much harm shape," sighed Grampa, as Toto went sniffing all around the throne under which the mouse had disappeared

"But my daughter ! " cried Peer Haps sud denly " unbewitch the Princess now ? " The company exchanged dismayed glances, realizing too late forced Abrog to disenchant Urtha punished him

CHAPTER 21

Urtha Is Transformed

probably wondering why Urtha herself had stood so silently during all the commotion castle Well, first place the little flower fairy was so frightened by her experiences Play Fellows that her only thought of escape Prophet's spell had gone all memory of her former existence as Princess of Perhaps City and when Peer Haps had found her on Maybe Mountain and hurried her back castle she was more frightened still Not knowing where she was, nor what , the confused little fairy had done nothing at all Trembling under the big cloak, she had stood and waited for something terrible to happen and when at last she did hear the familiar voices of Tatters and Grampa and thought they were angry at her, she trembled more than ever and was afraid or move at all But now mystery was about cleared up, Urtha was so happy just Prince of Ragbad again that she paid small attention excitement about her enchantment Neither did Tatters, lovely little flower fairy suited him exactly as she was While they were whispering cozily about Ragbad and other terribly important matters, Dorothy and Grampa got their heads together and solved the last adventurers' problems For Dorothy, bending excitedly over Grampa's shoulder, discovered cure for enchantment wizard's bottle "Three drops head," advised the green label Grampa squinted anxiously bottle, for he had poured nearly the whole contents over Abrog

" enough ? " whispered Dorothy Grampa, shaking his head doubtfully, tip-toed over to Urtha and, while Percy Vere, Peer Haps and Dorothy watched with breathless interest, he shook the bottle over her head One drop ! Two drops ! And-after violent shake-three fell soft fern hair littler fairy third drop fell the little flower girl melted away before their eyes into rainbow mist of lovely colors mist stepped no less lovely Princess-a Princess so like Urtha that Grampa blinked and Tatters could hardly believe his senses Though no longer little lady of flowers, Urtha still carried the flowers' lovely colors flowers' lovely fragrance in her exquisite little person Violets were no bluer than Urtha's eyes; roses never pinker than Urtha's cheeks; apple blossoms no fairer than Urtha's skin

Trembling with relief and happiness, Peer Haps clasped her arms and, little Princess knee, insisted on hearing every word long, strange story And about time it , for all this while he trying to explain to himself the presence of Fumbo's head But when Grampa had told their adventures from beginning to end, Peer Haps welcomed the King of Ragbad as heartily his whole body were present, all sat down things over

Just as Grampa was telling again exactly how they had discovered Urtha, loud screech corridor, and in flew the brave weather cock, whom no one had missed terrible commotion

"Here I come name of Bill," crowed the excited bird and flying over to Grampa, he proudly dropped Grampa's lost leg into his lap For while the others had hurried up the mountain Bill had flown back playground and snatched Grampa's leg away from King Capers and two mischievous Pierrettes who were deeply engrossed game of scrum It had taken Bill but here at last and, joyfully buckling leg, Gramps danced jig spot For now his happiness was complete-Peer Haps having already given him pipe Everyone made such fuss over Bill that fully repaid trouble

Indeed, hard who, of all that merry company, merriest-the Forget-ful Poet at finding himself safely home, Peer Haps at finding his daughter, Grampa recovery leg, Urtha and Tatters or Dorothy and Toto splendid way the adventure had turned out

Chuckling with delight, Peer Haps ran off to fetch his yellow hen, for determined that Tatters the fortune-a reward of thousand gold bricks

"Is fortune ? " asked Bill indignantly, as he placed the yellow hen in Tatters' arms "Why, it's nothing but bunch of feathers ! "

"Don't you crow over me," screeched the yellow hen and, flying up, she laid gold brick table, much astonishment of Bill delight others

While they still were laughing blinding flash, yellow hen, Bill, Toto, Peer Haps and single person throne room disappeared Yes, sir, they were gone as gone as box of last year's Christmas candy

CHAPTER 22

Rejoicing in Ragbad

GONE, you say But where ? tell you at once were gone from Perhaps City because they already were in Ragbad standing in surprised group shabby ballroom red castle For Ozma, looking that morning magic picture why Dorothy returned Emerald City, had seen the little girl and her companions and all day following their adventures

aid of powerful radio belonging Wizard of Oz, she had heard the whole story Grampa had just related and determined, by her magic belt, to all safely home

"They've had enough adventures," smiled this wise little ruler, and because she knew Dorothy, the Forgetful Poet and Peer Haps would want to meet Mrs Sew-and-Sew rest of Tatters' friends, she had sent them along too But, best of all, she had, aided wizard's magic, wished Fumbo's head firmly and permanently back upon his body When Pudge and Mrs Sew-and-Sew, aroused by all the confusion, came running the matter, imagine their surprise Fumbo in full possession head, welcoming Peer Haps, Dorothy Forgetful Poet to Ragbad

And now what flurry of introductions and explanations, what hugs, kisses and congratu-lations all 'round ! Mrs Sew-and-Sew could hardly believe her good fortune and had to kiss Tatters every if he really were there and Urtha every if she really were true After she had heard the whole story from beginning to end, she sent Pudge off to summon the twenty-four rustic laborers and rushed off such feast old red castle known since her own wedding day-a feast with six kinds of ice cream and seven kinds of cake and two helpings of turkey for everyone Far night the merrymaking lasted, for feast itself the old soldier insisted dance the Ragbad Quadrille

"Oh, let's ! " cried the Princess, remembering how she and Tatters had danced iceberg So lines were quickly formed on each side ballroom

"Come along, monster ! " cried Urtha, leading off merrily Prince, as Grampa burst spirited music dance Mrs Sew-and-Sew and Peer Haps came next, then the Forgetful Poet and Dorothy, then Fumbo and Pudge, the twenty-four rustic laborers filling in were needed Not until the loud crows of Bill announced the rising sun did the party break up, and only then after hundred rousing cheers given Prince and Princess of Ragbad After luncheon , Dorothy and Toto, Peer Haps Forgetful Poet were magically transported back home by thoughtful little Ozma but, before she left, Dorothy made them promise to visit her Emerald City and that

When Dorothy reached home the first person to greet her was her old friend, the Tin Woodman, smiling as he always smiles

day on, let me say, Ragbad was changed Kingdom for, twenty-four rustic laborers sold the gold bricks as fast were laid yellow hen, plenty of money supplies and care linens and lawns Grampa and Tatters had record crops and soon everything was so prosperous that Mrs Sew-and-Sew took off her thimble, put on her crown and became Queen of Ragbad again

As for Tatters and Urtha, the last I heard , they were happy days were long-as happy as only the dear folk in Oz know how is all story Princess who was once fairy, the poet who forgot his words, the old soldier who was always hero Prince who went in search father's head