Unc knocked door house and chubby, pleasant-faced woman, dressed all in blue, opened it and greeted the visitors with smile

"Ah," said Ojo; " Dame Margolotte, the good wife of Dr Pipt "

" , my dear, and all strangers are welcome to my home "

"May we see the famous Magician, Madam ? "

" very busy just now," she said, shaking her head doubtfully "But come in and let me something to eat, for traveled far our lonely place "

" ," replied Ojo, as he and Unc entered the house " come from far lonelier place than this "

"A lonelier place ! And Munchkin Country ? " she exclaimed "Then it somewhere Blue Forest "

" , good Dame Margolotte "

"Dear me ! " she said, looking man, " Unc Nunkie, known Silent One " Then she looked boy "And Ojo the Unlucky," she added

"Yes," said Unc

"I never knew called the Unlucky," said Ojo, soberly; "but really good name "

"Well," remarked the woman, as she bustled around the room and set the table and brought food cupboard, "you were unlucky to live all alone dismal forest, much worse forest around here; but perhaps your luck will change, now away If, during your travels, manage to lose that 'Un' beginning of 'Unlucky,' then become Ojo the Lucky, which great improvement "

"How can I lose that 'Un,' Dame Margolotte ? "

" know how, but keep the matter in mind and perhaps the chance will come ," she replied

Ojo had never eaten such fine meal in all his life savory stew, smoking hot, dish of blue peas, bowl of sweet milk of delicate blue tint and blue pudding with blue plums visitors had eaten heartily fare the woman said :

" wish Dr Pipt on business or for pleasure ? "

Unc shook his head

" traveling," replied Ojo, "and we stopped at your house just to rest and refresh ourselves Unc Nunkie cares the famous Crooked Magician; but part curious to look at such great man "

The woman seemed thoughtful

"I remember that Unc Nunkie and my husband used friends, many ," she said, "so perhaps they to meet again The Magician is very busy, as , but promise not to disturb him come into his workshop and watch him prepare wonderful charm "

" ," replied the boy, much pleased " like to "

She led the way to great domed hall back house, the Magician's workshop row of windows extending nearly around the sides circular room, which rendered the place very light, and back door one leading front part house row of windows broad seat was built and there were some chairs and benches room besides At one end stood great fireplace, blue log was blazing with blue flame, and over the fire hung four kettles in row, all bubbling and steaming at great rate The Magician was stirring all four kettles same time, two hands and two feet, latter, wooden ladles being strapped, man was so very crooked that his legs were as handy as his arms

Unc Nunkie came forward to greet his old friend, but not being able to shake either his hands or his feet, which were all occupied in stirring, he patted the Magician's bald head and asked: "What ? "

"Ah, it's the Silent One," remarked Dr Pipt, without looking up, "and what I'm making Well, when quite finished this compound the wonderful Powder of Life, which no one knows how but myself Whenever sprinkled on anything, that thing will at once come to life, no matter what It takes me several years this magic Powder, but moment pleased nearly done , making it good wife Margolotte, who wants to use some of it for purpose of her own Sit down and make yourself comfortable, Unc Nunkie, and after I've finished my task talk "

" know," said Margolottte, were all seated together broad window-seat, "that my husband foolishly gave away all the Powder of Life he first made to old Mombi the Witch, who used to live Country Gillikins, north of here Mombi gave to Dr Pipt Powder of Perpetual Youth in exchange Powder of Life, but she cheated him wickedly, Powder of Youth was no good and could work no magic at all "

"Perhaps the Powder of Life couldn't either," said Ojo

"Yes; perfection," she declared "The first lot we tested Glass Cat, which began to live but has lived She's somewhere around the house now "

"A Glass Cat ! " exclaimed Ojo, astonished

"Yes; she makes very pleasant companion, but admires herself little more than is considered modest, and she positively refuses to catch mice," explained Margolotte "My husband made the cat some pink brains, but they proved too high- bred and particular for cat, so she thinks undignified in her to catch mice Also she has pretty blood-red heart, but made of stone--a ruby, --and so is rather hard and unfeeling the next Glass Cat the Magician makes neither brains nor heart, for then object to catching mice and may prove of some use "

"What did old Mombi the Witch do Powder of Life your husband gave her ? " asked the boy

"She brought Jack Pumpkinhead to life, ," reply "I suppose you've heard of Jack Pumpkinhead now living near the Emerald City great favorite Princess Ozma, who rules all the Land of Oz "

"No; I've never heard of him," remarked Ojo "I'm afraid I don't know much Land of Oz , I've lived all my life with Unc Nunkie, the Silent One, and no one me anything "

" one reason Ojo the Unlucky," said the woman, in sympathetic tone "The more one knows, the luckier , for knowledge greatest gift in life "

"But tell me, please, what you intend new lot Powder of Life, which Dr Pipt is making his wife wanted it for some especial purpose "

"So ," she answered " it to bring my Patchwork Girl to life "

"Oh ! Patchwork Girl ? What ? " Ojo asked, seemed even more strange and unusual than Glass Cat

" show you my Patchwork Girl," said Margolotte, laughing boy's astonishment, "for rather difficult to explain But first tell you that for many years longed for servant to help me housework and to cook the meals and wash the dishes No servant will come here because the place is so lonely and out-of-the-way, so my clever husband, the Crooked Magician, proposed that I make girl out of some sort of material and make her live by sprinkling over her the Powder of Life This seemed an excellent suggestion and at once Dr Pipt set to work new batch magic powder He at it long, long while, and so plenty to girl Yet that task was not so easy suppose At first I couldn't think what her of, but finally in searching through chest across an old patchwork quilt, which my grandmother once made when she was young "

" patchwork quilt ? " asked Ojo