Peg shuddered and Uncle Tozzyfog blew his nose violently distressing memory Then, speaking rapidly and pausing every to appeal Princess, he continued the story of Peg's enchantment Naturally the old peddler refused and thrown castle That night as Uncle Tozzyfog prepared to carve the royal roast, there came an explosion, and courtiers had picked themselves up Peg Amy was nowhere seen, and only threatening scroll remained to explain the mystery Glegg, who was really powerful magician, infuriated by Uncle Tozzyfog's treatment, had changed the little Princess into tree

"Know ye," began the scroll quite like the one that had spoiled Pompa's birthday, "know ye that unless ye Princess of Sun Top Mountain consents to wed J Glegg she shall remain tree forever, or until two shall call and believe her Princess

The whole castle plunged into utmost gloom terrible happening, for Peg kindliest, best loved little Princess any Kingdom could wish for Lord Tozzyfog and nearly all the Courtiers set out at once to search little tree and for two years they wandered over Oz, addressing every hopeful tree as Princess, but never happening right one Finally they returned in despair and Sun Top Mountain, once the most cheerful Kingdom in all Oz, had become the gloomiest no singing, nor dancing-no happiness of any kind Even the flowers had drooped absence little Mistress

"Why didn't you appeal to Ozma ? " demanded Pompa point story

"Because in another scroll Glegg warned us day we told Ozma, Peg Amy would cease to even be tree," explained Uncle Tozzyfog hoarsely

"Then how did she become doll ? Tell me that, Uncle Fozzytog," gulped Wag, raising one paw

"She'll have you that herself," confessed Peg's uncle, " 's all story "

So here Peg took up the story herself The morning after her transformation into tree Glegg had appeared and asked her again to marry him " little yellow tree, Winkie Country, not far Emerald City," explained Peg, "and every day for two months Glegg appeared and the power of speech long enough to answer his question And he asked me to marry him but I always said 'No ! ' " The Princess shook her yellow curls briskly

"One afternoon there came one-legged sailor man and little girl " Even Kabumpo shuddered as Peg Amy told how Cap'n Bill had cut down the little tree, pared off all the branches and carved trunk small wooden doll for Trot

"It didn't hurt," Princess Peg hastened to explain as she caught Pompa's sorrowful expression, "and being doll was lot better than being tree move or speak but going on and life in Ozma's palace was cheerful and interesting Only, , I longed Ozma or Trot enchantment I missed dear Uncle Tozzyfog and all the people of Sun Top Mountain Then, all know, stolen old gnome and after Ruggedo carried me underground I forgot all about being Princess and remembered nothing " Peg glanced lovingly around the room "I only felt that I alive before So you ! " Peg jumped up and flung one arm around Wag, "and you," she flung the other around Pompa, "saved me by calling me Princess and really believing one And you ! " Peg hastened over to Kabumpo, who was rolling his eyes sadly " the darlingest old elephant in Oz ! See, I still have the necklace and bracelet ! " And sure enough on Peg's round arm and white neck gleamed the jewels the Elegant Elephant had generously given when he thought her only funny Wooden Doll

"Oh ! " groaned Kabumpo "Why didn't I let you look mirror before ? No wonder you kept remembering things "

"But why did Glegg send the threatening scroll to Pumperdink three years after he'd enchanted Peg ? " asked Wag, scratching his head

"Because ! " shrilled piercing voice, and in window bounded perfectly dreadful old man Glegg himself !

"Because ! " screeched the wicked magician, advancing toward the little party with crooked finger, " meddling old sailor touched Peg knife I lost all power over her; because my Question Box told me that Pompadore of Pumperdink could bring about her disenchantment and he has it interesting , didn't I ? There isn't another magician in Oz can put scrolls up in cakes and roasts like nor mix magic like mine Ha ! Ha ! " Glegg threw back his head and rocked with enjoyment " all the trouble and all the reward ! "

Everyone was so stunned terrible interruption that no one made move as Glegg sprang toward Peg Amy But before he had reached the Princess queer sulphurous explosion magician disappeared in cloud of green smoke They rubbed their eyes and smoke cleared they saw Trot, the little girl who had played with Peg Amy when she was Wooden Doll

"Ozma," explained Trot breathlessly, for she had come on fast wish

After following the adventures of Pompa and Peg Magic Mirror, and magician had tried to snatch the Princess, Ozma had transported him of her Magic Belt Emerald City, and sent Trot to bring her best wishes the whole party

"I'm sorry I didn't make you prettier dress were my doll," said Trot, seizing Peg Amy's hand impulsively, "but I didn't know you were Princess "

"But you guessed my name," said Peg softly

There were explanations made and things to wonder over and exclaim about, seemed never stop talking

Uncle Tozzyfog rang all the bells castle tower and stepping out on balcony told the people of Sun Top Mountain return of Princess Peg Amy Then the servants were summoned and such feast as only an Oz cook can prepare was started castle kitchen The Courtiers came hurrying back, for during Peg's absence Uncle Tozzyfog had lived alone castle Yes, the Courtiers came back people of Sun Top Mountain poured castle in throngs and nearly overwhelmed the rescuers enthusiasm thanks

Kabumpo had never been so admired and complimented whole elegant life As for Wag, his speech grew more mixed up At last, Courtiers and Uncle Tozzyfog had run off to dress grand banquet, and after Trot magically recalled by Ozma Emerald City, the four who had gone through adventures together were left alone

"Well, how about Pumperdink, my boy ? " chuckled Kabumpo, with wave trunk "Are we going to let the old Kingdom disappear or not ? "

" my duty to save my country," said Pompa loftily Then, with mischievous smile at Peg Amy, "Don't so, Princess ? " Peg Amy looked merrily Elegant Elephant and then took Pompa's hand

"Yes, ," said the Princess of Sun Top Mountain

"Then, marry me ? " asked Pompa, looking every inch Prince singed head and torn clothes

" save Pumperdink, ," sighed Peg softly

"Three cheers Princess of Pumperdink ! May she be as happy day is short ! " cried Wag impulsive way

Uncle Tozzyfog was as pleased as Wag when he heard the news, and Pompa, attired in royal gold embroidered robe, was married to Peg Amy spot, with much pomp and magnificence

Never before was there such rejoicing-a merrier company or happier bride Kabumpo, arrayed in two gold curtains borrowed happy occasion, had never appeared more elegant and Wag was everywhere at once and simply overwhelmed with attention

That same night messenger was dispatched to Pumperdink to carry the good news next morning Pompa and Peg set out Emerald City, the Princess riding proudly on Wag and Pompadore on Kabumpo Knowing the whole four now do, believe me when that their journey merriest and most delightful ever recorded merry Kingdom of Oz

After short visit with Ozma and another King and Queen of Pumperdink they all returned to Sun Top Mountain, where living happily very minute

CHAPTER 22

Ruggedo 's Last Rock

only few more mysteries to clear up before we leave for time the jolly Kingdom of Oz Ruggedo, much shaken by his terrible experiences with Glegg's magic, confessed everything to Ozma on her return Emerald City imagine the surprise little Fairy Ruler on learning how her palace had come impaled spikes wicked old gnome's gray head

" never re-form," said Tik Tok mournfully, as Ruggedo finished his recital The bad little gnome assured Ozma that he had reformed and begged for another chance, but Ozma knew better, and putting on her Magic Belt she whispered few secret words Then they all hurried over Magic Picture, for they knew that Ruggedo transported to safe place at last The picture showed the Runaway Country rushing along faster than an express train and dancing up and down on its highest hill furious old King Gnomes They watched until the Country plunged joyfully Nonestic Ocean and, when almost middle, Ozma stopped it magic spinning process and it became Ruggedo's Island

"Well," sighed Dorothy turned picture, "I guess Ruggedo's last rock ! "

"He's rocked cradle deep now, chuckled the Scarecrow "And it quiets him down They ought good pair-that bad little Island bad little King," he added reflectively

Then Ozma proposed follow the adventures of Peg and Pompa, having so satisfactorily disposed of Ruggedo How she transported Glegg just to save the Princess you already know But what happened to Glegg himself is interesting old magician had asked his Question Box how to regain control over Peg again it had directed him to bury his Mixed Magic under the Emerald City and in two years to send the scroll to Pumperdink So Glegg had tunneled out the cave under Ozma's palace and left his magic in what he supposed was very safe place It great hardship without it for two years, but Peg so badly that he actually did this, never dreaming that Ruggedo had moved in and discovered his treasures The Question Box had told the exact day Peg disenchanted and all that long two years Glegg had waited, hidden in forest near Sun Top Mountain

As nothing discovery magic box, no one was more surprised than he himself, just as point of seizing Peg, transported Emerald City

While Sir Hokus of Pokes held the struggling Glegg, Ozma asked the Question Box how to deal Everybody crowded around the little Fairy Ruler to hear what the wicked old magician's fate was

"Give him taste own magic," directed the Question Box "Make him drink cup Triple Trick Tea " This Ozma did, although it took fourteen people Glegg to drink it But, stars ! No sooner had the liquid touched his lips miserable old magician went off with loud explosion !

The box of Mixed Magic was carefully put away in Ozma's gold safe and then the whole company-Ozma, Dorothy, Sir Hokus, the Scarecrow and all the celebrities devoted themselves to setting the topsy turvy palace to rights, for they knew Magic picture that Pompa and Peg Amy were coming to visit them

"Glegg, Glegg, shake leg And never more, Sir, bother Peg ! "

shouted Scraps, as she swept up the black soot Glegg had left when he exploded And he never did

FINE