Betsy and Ozma, delighted splendid victory, now came hurrying over and while the Hungry Tiger guarded the two rascals tree, Reddy took off his wig, and told Fizzenpop the story adventures, proudly displaying the three magic rubies of Rash

At sight rubies, the delight and astonishment Grand Vizier knew no bounds, and after embracing Reddy dozen times and prostrating himself twice before each others, the old statesman rushed back palace

Next instant the tower bells were tolling out joyful welcome Rightful Ruler of Rash and, Fizzenpop, himself, best turban and tunic was reading proclamation pink balcony stating that Evered, the Scarlet Prince had returned rule of Irashi the Rough was over forever

"How about little lunch ? " proposed the Hungry Tiger, putting his paws over his ears to drown out the roars and cheers populace

Overjoyed at Irashi's downfall, the citizens of Rash were celebrating the victory as noisily as possible "And we going two handsome rogues ? I've notion to eat them up ! " the Hungry Tiger roared, glaring ferociously trembling pair tree

"Well, they certainly deserve it," exclaimed Betsy, looking severely at Irashi and Ippty "Don't so Carter ? "

The kind hearted Vegetable Man pulled his corn ear in embarrassment "Let Ozma and Reddy decide," murmured Carter in low voice "They're not an earthly bit of use to anyone, but perhaps they'll reform," he finished uncomfortably At Carter's words, the airman gave sudden bounce, and gleam of purpose came into his round eye

"Tie them up," advised Atmos, "especially that prickly fingered one Then, after lunch decide "

"All right," agreed Reddy, and that not escape, he put big wig Then, picking the two Rashers tree as toy soldiers, he wound them round and round with rope that Carter obligingly fetched castle Ippty's pen and pencily fingers he bound up securely in strips handkerchief, which, grown to giant size, was large as sheet Then, two culprits tramping gloomily before them, the conquerors marched gaily pink palace where splendid repast already awaited them

The Hungry Tiger's eyes shone with joy as he looked down the long table One entire end reserved for him

"Isn't this better than Rash prisoners ? " whispered Fizzenpop, leading him kindly place and waving rare steaks and roasts he had provided

With troubled glance at Ozma, the Hungry Tiger nodded He hoped that Fizzenpop tell the others why he had come to Rash But Betsy and Ozma were talking so busily, they never even heard the Grand Vizier's remark "And if Ippty and Irashi are disposed of, nothing to fear," thought the tiger uneasily

Reddy, still shabby clothes, but wearing the splendid ruby crown of Rash, seated himself head table and, with Ozma right and Betsy left, presided in truly royal manner Carter and Atmos eat at all, but their jokes and questions kept the whole company in roar of merriment

" seldom," observed old Fizzenpop, gazing fondly little Prince, " seldom that city is captured without one broken bone "

" break mine," said the airman, patting his chest proudly

"Yours ? " gasped Betsy, "Why Atmos, any bones ? "

"One," admitted the airman, feeling his side experimentally "It's floating rib, and I never know just where Every airman has floating rib," confided Atmos blandly "It helps them to float "

"Well, interesting persons ever met," cried Reddy, jumping feet "And Carter's the other Oh wish all stay in Rash Won't you please stay ? Betsy and Ozma can take turns being Queen, Carter royal gardener Hungry Tiger and Atmos anything "

"Thanks," murmured the airman, "but what lecture ? Besides," he looked bashfully from one other, "I'm engaged to an Heiress and must return sky But someday, have few years to spare, you'll all visit me and we'll go on regular sky-lark "

"Oh, I'd love to," cried Betsy Bobbin

"You talk as were leaving us," objected the Hungry Tiger, raising himself with an effort He had eaten tremendous luncheon and could scarcely keep his eyes open

" ," declared the airman solemnly, pushing back his chair And others half realized what about, the huge fellow had seized Ippty and Irashi and vanished doorway

CHAPTER 20

Safe Emerald City

WAIT ! Wait ! " begged Ozma, jumping up and hurrying after him "Atmos Fere, Atmos dear, don't you remember you promised to carry us across the desert and back to Oz ? " they had all run out garden, but Atmos even seem to hear their pleas With Ippty and Irashi under one arm, feverishly kicking off his iron boots

"These villains," puffed Atmos, holding up his unhappy victims, "are as Carter said, of no use earth at all, but very useful sky Not as good specimens as wished for, but take them back with me, really people bottom air lecture, drop them on some lonely island where do no further mischief," declared Atmos calmly

"Hurrah ! " roared the Hungry Tiger, over-joyed that his secret would now be kept safely

" lecture," gasped Ozma faintly, "But years and years by skytime ? "

"Years and years," acknowledged Atmos, with grin, and freeing himself from one boot soared hundred feet air "Look out below ! " warningly, "Here comes the other one "

They had just time to dodge aside other iron boot came crashing to earth "Good-bye ! " shouted the airman in faraway voice, "Good-bye, little Princess, I'll see you again, ! "

"Good-bye ! " called Ozma, sadly Standing on tip-toe, the whole company strained their eyes to catch last glimpse strange fellow adventurer But Atmos two wicked Rashers had already disappeared above the clouds

"Oh ! " wailed Ozma suddenly, "How are we going to cross the Deadly Desert now ? "

"Don't cross it," begged Reddy again, "Stay here Please, stay here ! "

"Maybe Dorothy or the Wizard will look Magic Picture," suggested Betsy hopefully "Watch out Carter, you're taking root again "

With little exclamation of annoyance, the Vegetable Man jerked himself loose and began to comfort the Princess of Oz

" really the best thing that happened," he assured her eagerly "With Irashi and Ippty way, Reddy can rule his Kingdom in peace, and while those two rogues will not really suffer, kept out of mischief for years

"That's so," mused Ozma, thoughtfully, "and I'm rather glad Atmos has some proof such an old dear, got him "

" my big wig ," offered Reddy, generously, "but I'm afraid, even as giant, step across the desert "

"No," sighed Ozma, "I suppose not Besides, every ruler one magic possession Rash rubies giant's wig you to rule for many years without any trouble "

"How rubies ? " asked Carter "Wouldn't the ruby that protected us Gnome King protect us burning sands ? Why, maybe it ruby that helped us to cross the desert first place I had it then, ! "

" it quick sandals," said Betsy "Maybe the ruby work on sand Carter and-"

" thought of something ! " cried Fizzenpop, who was anxious for Reddy all magic treasures "It unwise for her Majesty to risk crossing the desert with only the ruby to help her, but marvelous canes nothing could harm her at all "

"Canes ? " murmured Ozma

"Hurry canes," smiled the Grand Vizier " patent action, triply guaranteed hurry canes all cross the Deadly Desert and safely return to Oz "

"Oh, Fizzenpop ! " exclaimed Reddy, in de-light, "Why didn't ? "

The Hungry Tiger rolled up his eyes and shuddered, but the others, who had never ridden Rash hurry cane, were charmed Grand Vizier's suggestion That evening, after Reddy had shown Ozma others all over his pretty pink Kingdom, and populace had given three cheers Rescuers of Rash, Fizzenpop took five hurry canes umbrella stand Five, because last minute, Reddy insisted upon going Emerald City, too

Giving Fizzenpop the giant wig, but keeping the Rash rubies himself, and promising to return in month, Reddy mounted his hurry cane Then, at signal little Prince, each traveller clapped the head upon his cane and in five furious flashes they were off for Oz, and five minutes later, little shocked and breathless, dropped down Emerald City itself

Knowing that dear delightful place , imagine the welcome accorded the travellers There were feasts and processions and story tellings and parties enough to satisfy even the Hungry Tiger For days nothing was talked of, but the marvelous adventures of Betsy Bobbin little Princess of Oz Carter Green was so sought after and invited about, have taken root, even had to The little Prince Evered has since returned own country, but often comes over pleasant evening castle, bringing along his big wig, to entertain the Scarecrow

As Hungry Tiger, he never drops off to sleep without thanking his stars kitten, and if at times he looks little hollow-eyed and wan, whole happier than ever, for he has learned better stomach-ache than heart-ache heart-aches he had in Rash, missing his friends, cured him forever desire to eat live man

pink palace of Rash the iron boots of Atmos are still shown to visitors, that an airman really visited that country, and on clear nights old Fizzenpop, with telescope, tries to catch glimpse wicked countrymen

THE END