"Don't know," said Button-Bright, doubtfully; but he didn't cry any more

Dorothy let the maids pin ribbons to her shoulders, after which they were ready King's dinner met the shaggy man splendid drawing room palace they found him just the same as before He had refused up his shaggy clothes for new ones, because if that no longer be the shaggy man, , and acquainted with himself all over again

Dorothy he had brushed his shaggy hair and whiskers; but she thought brushed them the wrong way, for they were quite as shaggy as before

As company of foxes assembled to dine strangers, they were most beautifully costumed, and their rich dresses made Dorothy's simple gown and Button-Bright's sailor suit shaggy man's shaggy clothes look commonplace But they treated their guests with great respect King's dinner was dinner indeed Foxes, , are fond of chicken and other fowl; so they served chicken soup and roasted turkey and stewed duck and fried grouse and broiled quail and goose pie, and cooking was excellent the King's guests enjoyed the meal and ate heartily various dishes

The party went theater, where they saw play acted by foxes dressed in costumes of brilliantly colored feathers The play was about fox-girl who was stolen by some wicked wolves and carried cave; and just were about to kill her and eat her company of fox-soldiers marched up, saved the girl, and put all the wicked wolves to death

"How like it ? " the King asked Dorothy

"Pretty well," she answered "It reminds me of one of Mr Aesop's fables "

"Don't mention Aesop , I beg of you ! " exclaimed King Dox "I hate that man's name He wrote about foxes, but always made them out cruel and wicked, whereas gentle and kind, see "

"But his fables showed you wise and clever, and more shrewd than other animals," said the shaggy man, thoughtfully

"So no question about our knowing more than men do," replied the King, proudly "But we employ our wisdom good, instead of harm; horrid Aesop know what talking about "

like to contradict him, because they felt he ought the nature of foxes better than men did; so they sat still and watched the play, and Button-Bright became so interested that he forgot he wore fox head

Afterward they went back palace and slept in soft beds stuffed with feathers; foxes raised many fowl for food, and used their feathers for clothing and to sleep upon

Dorothy wondered why the animals living in Foxville wear just their own hairy skins as wild foxes do; when she mentioned it to King Dox they clothed themselves because they were civilized

"But you were born without clothes," she observed, "and you don't seem to need them "

"So were human beings born without clothes," he replied; "and until they became civilized they wore only their natural skins But civilized means to dress as elaborately and prettily as possible, and show of your clothes so your neighbors will envy you, and reason both civilized foxes and civilized humans spend most time dressing themselves "

"I don't," declared the shaggy man

" true," said the King, looking at him carefully; "but perhaps civilized "

After sound sleep and good night's rest they had their breakfast King and then bade his Majesty good-bye

"You've been kind --'cept poor Button-Bright," said Dorothy, "and we've had nice time in Foxville "

"Then," said King Dox, "perhaps you'll be good enough me an invitation to Princess Ozma's birthday celebration "

"I'll try," she promised; "if her "

"It's twenty-first, remember," he continued; "and 'll just see that I'm invited I'll find way to cross the Dreadful Desert marvelous Land of Oz I've always wanted to visit the Emerald City, so I'm sure fortunate you arrived here just did, you being Princess Ozma's friend and able to assist me in getting the invitation "

"If Ozma I'll ask her to invite you," she replied

The Fox-King had delightful luncheon put up , which the shaggy man shoved pocket, fox-captain escorted them to an arch side village opposite the one they had entered Here they found more soldiers guarding the road

" afraid of enemies ? " asked Dorothy

"No; because watchful and able to protect ourselves," answered the captain "But this road leads to another village peopled by big, stupid beasts cause us trouble thought we were afraid "

"What beasts are they ? " asked the shaggy man

The captain hesitated to answer Finally, :

" learn all arrive at their city But be afraid Button-Bright is so wonderfully clever and has now such an intelligent face that I'm sure manage way to protect you "

This made Dorothy shaggy man rather uneasy, for they confidence fox-boy's wisdom captain seemed But as their escort would say no more beasts, they bade him good-bye and proceeded on their journey

5 The Rainbow's Daughter

Toto, now allowed to run about as he pleased, was glad free again and able to bark birds and chase the butterflies The country around them was charming, yet pretty fields of wild-flowers and groves of leafy trees were no houses whatever, or sign of any inhabitants Birds flew air and cunning white rabbits darted amongst the tall grasses and green bushes; Dorothy noticed even the ants toiling busily along the roadway, bearing gigantic loads of clover seed; but of people there were none at all

They walked briskly on for an hour or two, for even little Button-Bright was good walker and tire easily turned curve road they beheld just before them curious sight

little girl, radiant and beautiful, shapely as fairy and exquisitely dressed, was dancing gracefully middle lonely road, whirling slowly , her dainty feet twinkling in sprightly fashion She was clad in flowing, fluffy robes of soft material that reminded Dorothy of woven cobwebs, only colored in soft tintings of violet, rose, topaz, olive, azure, and white, mingled together most harmoniously in stripes which melted one other with soft blendings Her hair was like spun gold and flowed around her in cloud, no strand being fastened or confined by either pin or ornament or ribbon

Filled with wonder and admiration our friends approached and stood watching this fascinating dance The girl was no taller than Dorothy, although more slender; nor did she seem any older than our little heroine

Suddenly she paused and abandoned the dance, first time observing the presence of strangers As she faced them, shy as frightened fawn, poised upon one foot to fly the next instant, Dorothy was astonished tears flowing from her violet eyes and trickling down her lovely rose-hued cheeks dainty maiden should dance and weep same time was indeed surprising; so Dorothy asked in soft, sympathetic voice:

" unhappy, little girl ? "

"Very ! " reply; " lost "

"Why, so are we," said Dorothy, smiling; "but we don't cry "

"Don't you ? ? "

"'Cause I've been lost before, and always got found again," answered Dorothy simply

"But I've never been lost before," murmured the dainty maiden, "and I'm worried and afraid "

"You were dancing," remarked Dorothy, in puzzled tone of voice

"Oh, that was just warm," explained the maiden, quickly " not because happy or gay, I assure you "

Dorothy looked at her closely Her gauzy flowing robes very warm, yet the weather wasn't at all chilly, but rather mild and balmy, like spring day

"Who , dear ? " she asked, gently

"I'm Polychrome," reply

"Polly whom ? "

"Polychrome I'm the Daughter Rainbow "

"Oh ! " said Dorothy with gasp; "I didn't know the Rainbow had children But known it, spoke You couldn't really be anything else "

" ? " inquired Polychrome, surprised

"Because you're so lovely and sweet "

The little maiden smiled through her tears, came Dorothy, and placed her slender fingers Kansas girl's chubby hand

"You'll be my friend--won't you ? " she said, pleadingly

" "

"And ? "

"I'm Dorothy; and my friend Shaggy Man, who owns the Love Magnet; and Button-Bright--only you don't see him as he really is because the Fox-King carelessly changed his head into fox head But the real Button-Bright is good to look at, and him changed back to himself, "

The Rainbow's Daughter nodded cheerfully, no longer afraid of her new companions

"But who ? " she asked, pointing to Toto, who was sitting before her wagging his tail most friendly manner and admiring the pretty maid bright eyes " , also, some enchanted person ? "

"Oh no, Polly-- call you Polly, mayn't I ? Your whole name's awful hard "

"Call me Polly , Dorothy "

"Well, Polly, Toto's just dog; but he has more sense than Button-Bright, the truth; and I'm very fond of him "

"So am I," said Polychrome, bending gracefully to pat Toto's head

"But how did the Rainbow's Daughter ever get lonely road, and become lost ? " asked the shaggy man, who had listened wonderingly to all this

"Why, my father stretched his rainbow over here , one end of it touched this road," reply; "and dancing pretty rays, as I love , and never noticed getting too far over the bend circle Suddenly I began to slide, and I went faster and faster until at last I bumped ground, very end Just then father lifted the rainbow again, without noticing me at all, and though I tried to seize the end of it and hold fast, it melted away entirely and left alone and helpless cold, hard earth ! "

"It doesn't seem cold , Polly," said Dorothy; "but perhaps you're not warmly dressed "

"I'm so used to living nearer the sun," replied the Rainbow's Daughter, "that at first I feared freeze down here But my dance has warmed me some, and now I wonder how ever home again "

"Won't your father miss you, and look , and let down another rainbow ? "

"Perhaps so, but he's busy just now because it rains in parts world season, and he set his rainbow in lot of different places What would you advise me , Dorothy ? "