Meanwhile, Dorothy had dressed herself in pretty gown of soft grey embroidered with silver, and put blue-and-gold suit of satin upon little Button-Bright, who looked as sweet as cherub Followed boy and Toto--the dog with new green ribbon around his neck--she hastened down splendid drawing-room palace, where, seated upon an exquisite throne of carved malachite and nestled amongst its green satin cushions lovely Princess Ozma, waiting eagerly to welcome her friend

20 Princess Ozma Of Oz

The royal historians of Oz, fine writers and know any number of big words, have often tried to describe the rare beauty of Ozma and failed because the words good enough So hope you how great charm little Princess, or how her loveliness put to shame all the sparkling jewels and magnificent luxury that surrounded her her royal palace Whatever else was beautiful or dainty or delightful of itself faded to dullness when contrasted with Ozma's bewitching face, and it has often been said that no other ruler in all the world can ever hope to equal the gracious charm of her manner

Everything about Ozma attracted one, and she inspired love sweetest affection rather than awe or ordinary admiration Dorothy threw her arms around her little friend and hugged and kissed her rapturously, and Toto barked joyfully and Button-Bright smiled happy smile and consented to sit soft cushions close beside the Princess

"Why didn't you send me word you were going birthday party ? " asked the little Kansas girl, first greetings were over

"Didn't I ? " asked Ozma, her pretty eyes dancing with merriment

"Did you ? " replied Dorothy, trying

"Who imagine, dear, mixed up those roads, so start you wandering direction of Oz ? " inquired the Princess

"Oh ! I never 'spected YOU ," cried Dorothy

"I've watched you in my Magic Picture all the way here," declared Ozma, "and twice to use the Magic Belt to save you and transport you Emerald City Once was Scoodlers caught you, and again reached the Deadly Desert But the shaggy man was able to out both times, so interfere "

" who Button-Bright is ? " asked Dorothy

"No; I never saw him until you found him road, and then only in my Magic Picture "

"And did you send Polly ? "

"No, dear; the Rainbow's Daughter slid from her father's pretty arch just to meet you "

"Well," said Dorothy, "I've promised King Dox of Foxville and King Kik-a-bray of Dunkiton that I'd to invite them to your party "

" already done that," returned Ozma, "because it would please you to favor them "

"Did you 'vite the Musicker ? " asked Button-Bright

"No; because too noisy, and might interfere comfort of others When music , indulged in all the time, better performer alone," said the Princess

"I like the Musicker's music," declared the boy, gravely

"But I don't," said Dorothy

"Well, plenty of music at my celebration," promised Ozma; "so I've an idea Button-Bright won't miss the Musicker at all "

Just then Polychrome danced in, and Ozma rose to greet the Rainbow's Daughter in her sweetest and most cordial manner

Dorothy thought she had never seen two prettier creatures together than these lovely maidens; but Polly knew at once her own dainty beauty match that of Ozma, yet was not bit jealous because so

The Wizard of Oz was announced, and dried-up, little, old man, clothed all in black, entered the drawing-room His face was cheery eyes twinkling with humor, so Polly and Button-Bright at all afraid wonderful personage whose fame as humbug magician had spread world After greeting Dorothy with much affection, he stood modestly behind Ozma's throne and listened lively prattle young people

Now the shaggy man appeared, and so startling was his appearance, all clad in shaggy new rainment, that Dorothy cried "Oh ! " and clasped her hands impulsively as she examined her friend with pleased eyes

"He's still shaggy, all right," remarked Button-Bright; and Ozma nodded brightly because she had meant the shaggy man to remain shaggy when she provided his new clothes for him

Dorothy led him toward the throne, as shy fine company, and presented him gracefully Princess, saying:

"This, your Highness, is my friend, the shaggy man, who owns the Love Magnet "

" welcome to Oz," said the girl Ruler, in gracious accents "But tell me, sir, where did you get the Love Magnet which you say you own ? "

The shaggy man grew red and looked downcast, as he answered in low voice:

"I stole it, your Majesty "

"Oh, Shaggy Man ! " cried Dorothy "How dreadful ! And you told me the Eskimo the Love Magnet "

He shuffled first on one foot and then other, much embarrassed

" you falsehood, Dorothy," ; "but now, having bathed Truth Pond, tell nothing but the truth "

"Why did you steal it ? " asked Ozma, gently

"Because no one loved me, or cared ," said the shaggy man, "and loved great deal owned by girl in Butterfield who was loved , so young men quarreled over her, which made her unhappy After I had stolen the Magnet from her, young man continued to love the girl, and she married him and regained her happiness "

" sorry you stole it ? " asked the Princess

"No, your Highness; I'm glad," he answered; " has pleased me loved, and if Dorothy cared have accompanied her beautiful Land of Oz, or met its kind-hearted Ruler Now that I'm here, to remain, and one of your Majesty's most faithful subjects "

"But in Oz loved for ourselves alone, and kindness to one another, and good deeds," she said

"I'll give up the Love Magnet," said the shaggy man, eagerly; "Dorothy it "

"But loves Dorothy already," declared the Wizard

"Then Button-Bright it "

"Don't want it," said the boy, promptly

"Then I'll give it Wizard, for I'm sure the lovely Princess Ozma need it "

"All my people love the Wizard, too," announced the Princess, laughing; "so hang the Love Magnet over the gates Emerald City, that whoever shall enter or leave the gates loved and loving "

" good idea," said the shaggy man; "I agree most willingly "

Those assembled now went in to dinner, imagine was grand affair; and afterward Ozma asked the Wizard them an exhibition magic

The Wizard took eight tiny white piglets from an inside pocket and set them table One was dressed like clown, and performed funny antics, others leaped over the spoons and dishes and ran around the table like race-horses, and turned hand-springs and were so sprightly and amusing kept the company in one roar of merry laughter The Wizard had trained these pets many curious things, were so little and so cunning and soft that Polychrome loved to pick them up passed near her place and fondle them as were kittens

late entertainment ended, separated rooms

"To-morrow," said Ozma, "my invited guests will arrive, and among them some interesting and curious people, I promise you The my birthday, festivities held broad green just outside the gates City, where all my people can assemble without being crowded "

" the Scarecrow won't be late," said Dorothy, anxiously

"Oh, sure to return to-morrow," answered Ozma " new straw to stuff himself with, so he went Munchkin Country, where straw is plentiful "

the Princess bade her guests good night and went to her own room

21 Dorothy Receives the Guests

Next morning Dorothy's breakfast was served in her own pretty sitting room, and she sent to invite Polly shaggy man to join her and Button-Bright meal They came gladly, and Toto also had breakfast , so little party that had traveled together to Oz was once more reunited

No sooner had they finished eating than they heard the distant blast of many trumpets, sound of brass band playing martial music; so they all went out balcony front palace and overlooked the streets City, being higher wall that shut palace grounds They saw approaching down the street band of musicians, playing as hard and loud as , while the people Emerald City crowded the sidewalks and cheered so lustily almost drowned the noise drums and horns

Dorothy looked what they were cheering at, and discovered that behind the band famous Scarecrow, riding proudly back of wooden Saw-Horse which pranced along the street almost as gracefully it made of flesh Its hoofs, or rather the ends wooden legs, were shod with plates of solid gold, saddle strapped wooden body was richly embroidered and glistened with jewels

As he reached the palace the Scarecrow looked up and saw Dorothy, and at once waved his peaked hat at her in greeting He rode front door and dismounted, band stopped playing and went away crowds of people returned dwellings

Dorothy and her friends had re-entered her room, the Scarecrow was there, and the girl hearty embrace and shook the hands others own squashy hands, which were white gloves filled with straw

The shaggy man, Button-Bright, and Polychrome stared hard celebrated person, who was acknowledged the most popular and most beloved man in all the Land of Oz

"Why, your face newly painted ! " exclaimed Dorothy, first greetings were over

"I had it touched up bit Munchkin farmer who first made me," answered the Scarecrow, pleasantly "My complexion had become bit grey and faded, , paint had peeled off one end mouth, so I couldn't talk quite straight Now like myself again, and say without immodesty that my body is stuffed loveliest oat-straw in all Oz " He pushed against his chest "Hear me crunkle ? " he asked

"Yes," said Dorothy; "you sound fine "

Button-Bright was wonderfully attracted strawman, and so was Polly The shaggy man treated him with great respect, because so queerly made

Jellia Jamb now came that Ozma wanted Princess Dorothy to receive the invited guests Throne-Room, arrived The Ruler was herself busy ordering the preparations morrow's festivities, so she wished her friend to act in her place

Dorothy willingly agreed, being the only other Princess Emerald City; so she went great Throne-Room and sat in Ozma's seat, placing Polly on one side of her and Button-Bright other The Scarecrow stood left throne Tin Woodman right, while the Wonderful Wizard shaggy man stood behind