"Where are your reindeer ? " asked Polychrome

"I left them at home, is too warm sunny country," he answered "They're used to winter weather travel "

In flash gone, Ryls and Knooks ; but all hear the golden hoofs Saw-Horse ringing marble pavement outside, as he pranced away noble rider

Presently the band played again, High Chamberlain announced:

"Her Gracious Majesty, the Queen of Merryland "

They looked earnestly to discover whom this queen , and saw advancing up the room an exquisite wax doll dressed in dainty fluffs and ruffles and spangled gown She was almost as big as Button-Bright, and her cheeks and mouth and eyebrow were prettily painted in delicate colors Her blue eyes stared bit, being of glass, yet the expression upon her Majesty's face was quite pleasant and decidedly winning Queen of Merryland were four wooden soldiers, two stalking ahead of her with much dignity and two following behind, like royal bodyguard The soldiers were painted in bright colors and carried wooden guns, and after them came fat little man who attracted attention at once, although modest and retiring For he of candy, and carried tin sugar-sifter filled with powdered sugar, he dusted himself frequently he wouldn't stick to things if he touched them The High Chamberlain had called him "The Candy Man of Merryland," and Dorothy saw that one thumbs looked it bitten off by some one who was fond of candy and couldn't resist the temptation

The wax doll Queen spoke prettily to Dorothy others, and sent her loving greetings to Ozma before she retired rooms prepared for her She had brought birthday present wrapped in tissue paper and tied with pink and blue ribbons, and wooden soldiers placed it table other gifts But the Candy Man go room, because he preferred to stay and talk Scarecrow and Tik-tok Wizard and Tin Woodman, whom he declared the queerest people he had ever met Button-Bright was glad the Candy Man stayed Throne Room, because the boy thought this guest smelled deliciously of wintergreen and maple sugar

The Braided Man now entered the room, having been fortunate enough to receive an invitation Princess Ozma's party from cave halfway Invisible Valley Country Gargoyles, hair and whiskers were that obliged to plait them into many braids that hung feet, and every braid was tied with bow of colored ribbon

"I've brought Princess Ozma box of flutters for her birthday," said the Braided Man, earnestly; "and she will like them, for the finest quality ever made "

"I'm sure she greatly pleased," said Dorothy, who remembered the Braided Man well; Wizard introduced the guest rest company and made him sit down in chair and keep quiet, for, if allowed, talk continually about his flutters

The band then played welcome to another set of guests, and Throne-Room swept the handsome and stately Queen of Ev Beside her was young King Evardo, and following them came the entire royal family of five Princesses and four Princes of Ev The Kingdom of Ev lay just across the Deadly Desert North of Oz, and once Ozma and her people had rescued the Queen of Ev and her ten children Nome King, who had enslaved them Dorothy present adventure, so she greeted the royal family cordially; and all the visitors were delighted to meet the little Kansas girl again They knew Tik-tok and Billina, too, Scarecrow and Tin Woodman, Lion and Tiger; so joyful reunion, imagine, and fully an hour Queen and her train retired rooms Perhaps not then the band begun to play to announce new arrivals; but left the great Throne-Room King Evardo added to Ozma's birthday presents diadem of diamonds set in radium

The next comer proved King Renard of Foxville; or King Dox, as he preferred called magnificently dressed in new feather costume and wore white kid mittens over his paws and flower button-hole and had his hair parted middle

King Dox thanked Dorothy fervently for getting him the invitation to Oz, which he all his life longed to visit He strutted around rather absurdly as introduced to all the famous people assembled Throne-Room, and when he learned that Dorothy was Princess of Oz the Fox King insisted on kneeling at her feet and afterward retired backward--a dangerous thing , as stubbed his paw and tumbled over

No sooner was he gone blasts of bugles and clatter of drums and cymbals announced important visitors, High Chamberlain assumed his most dignified tone as he threw open the door and said proudly:

"Her Sublime and Resplendent Majesty, Queen Zixi of Ix ! His Serene and Tremendous Majesty, King Bud of Noland Her Royal Highness, the Princess Fluff "

That three such high and mighty royal personages should arrive at once was enough Dorothy and her companions grow solemn and assume their best company manners; but exquisite beauty of Queen Zixi met their eyes they thought they had never beheld anything so charming Dorothy decided that Zixi about sixteen years old, but the Wizard whispered to her wonderful queen had lived thousands of years, but knew the secret of remaining always fresh and beautiful

King Bud of Noland dainty fair-haired sister, the Princess Fluff, were friends of Zixi, as their kingdoms were adjoining, so they had traveled together from their far-off domains honor to Ozma of Oz occasion of her birthday They brought many splendid gifts; so the table was now fairly loaded down with presents

Dorothy and Polly loved the Princess Fluff the moment they saw her, and little King Bud was so frank and boyish that Button-Bright accepted him as chum at once and want him away But after noon now, royal guests must prepare their toilets grand banquet at which they were to assemble that evening to meet the reigning Princess Fairyland; so Queen Zixi was shown to her room by troop of maidens led by Jellia Jamb, and Bud and Fluff presently withdrew own apartments

"My ! what big party Ozma is going ," exclaimed Dorothy "I guess the palace chock full, Button-Bright; don't so ? "

"Don't know," said the boy

"But go to our rooms, pretty soon, to dress banquet," continued the girl

"I don't have to dress," said the Candy Man from Merryland "All do is to dust myself with fresh sugar "

"Tik-tok always wears the same suits of clothes," said the Tin Woodman; "and so does our friend the Scarecrow "

"My feathers are good enough for any occasion," cried Billina, from her corner

"Then leave you four to welcome any new guests that come," said Dorothy; "for Button-Bright and look our very best at Ozma's banquet "

" still ? " asked the Scarecrow

"Well, there's King Kik-a-bray of Dunkiton, and Johnny Dooit, Good Witch North But Johnny Dooit may not get here until late, he's so very busy "

" receive them and give them proper welcome," promised the Scarecrow "So run along, little Dorothy, and get yourself dressed "

23 The Grand Banquet

tell you how fine the company assembled that evening at Ozma's royal banquet long table was spread center great dining-hall palace splendor decorations blaze of lights and jewels was acknowledged the most magnificent sight that any guests had ever seen

The jolliest person present, most important, was old Santa Claus; so given the seat of honor at one end table while other end sat Princess Ozma, the hostess

John Dough, Queen Zixi, King Bud, the Queen of Ev and her son Evardo, Queen of Merryland had golden thrones to sit in, while the others were supplied with beautiful chairs

upper end banquet room was separate table provided animals Toto sat at one end table with bib tied around his neck and silver platter to eat from other end was placed small stand, with low rail around the edge of it, for Billina and her chicks The rail kept the ten little Dorothys from falling off the stand, while the Yellow Hen could easily reach over and take her food from her tray table At other places sat the Hungry Tiger, the Cowardly Lion, the Saw-Horse, the Rubber Bear, the Fox King Donkey King; they made quite company of animals

lower end great room was another table, at which sat the Ryls and Knooks who had come with Santa Claus, the wooden soldiers who had come Queen of Merryland, Hilanders and Lolanders who had come with John Dough Here were also seated the officers royal palace and of Ozma's army

The splendid costumes three tables made gorgeous and glittering display that no one present was ever likely to forget; perhaps there has never been in any part world at another assemblage wonderful people which gathered this evening to honor the birthday Ruler of Oz

When all members of ethe company were in their places an orchestra of five hundred pieces, in balcony overlooking the banquet room, began to play sweet and delightful music Then door draped with royal green opened, and in came the fair and girlish Princess Ozma, who now greeted her guests in person first time

As she stood by her throne head banquet table every eye was turned eagerly lovely Princess, who was as dignified as she was bewitching, and who smiled upon all her old and new friends in way that touched their hearts and brought an answering smile to every face

Each guest served with crystal goblet filled with lacasa, sort of nectar famous in Oz and nicer to drink than soda-water or lemonade Santa now made pretty speech in verse, congratulating Ozma on having birthday, and asking present to drink health and happiness dearly beloved hostess This with great enthusiasm who were made so drink at all, and those drink politely touched the rims goblets lips All seated themselves tables servants Princess began serving the feast

that only in Fairyland could such delicious repast be prepared The dishes were of precious metals set with brilliant jewels good things to eat which were placed upon them were countless in number and of exquisite flavor Several present, such Candy Man, the Rubber Bear, Tik-tok, Scarecrow, made so eat, Queen of Merryland contented herself with small dish of sawdust; but these enjoyed the pomp and glitter gorgeous scene as did those who feasted