Presently safe across and standing plains of Jinxland Far away he the towers King's castle and toward this he at once began to walk

Chapter Fourteen

The Frozen Heart

hut of Pon, the gardener's boy, Button-Bright first to waken morning Leaving his companions still asleep, he went out fresh morning air and saw some blackberries growing on bushes in field not far away Going bushes the berries ripe and sweet, so he began eating them More bushes were scattered over the fields, so the boy wandered on, from bush to bush, without paying any heed to where wandering Then butterfly fluttered by chase and followed it long way When finally he paused to look around him, Button-Bright no sign of Pon's house, nor had he the slightest idea direction it lay

"Well, I'm lost again," he remarked to himself "But never mind; I've been lost lots of times Someone is sure me "

Trot was little worried about Button-Bright when she awoke and found him gone Knowing how careless , she believed that he had strayed away, but felt that come back , because he had habit of not staying lost Pon got the little girl some food for her breakfast and then together they went hut and stood sunshine

Pon's house was some distance off the road, but see it from where they stood and both gave start of surprise discovered two soldiers walking along the roadway and escorting Princess Gloria The poor girl had her hands bound together, her from struggling, soldiers rudely dragged her forward when her steps seemed to lag

Behind this group came King Krewl, wearing his jeweled crown and swinging hand slender golden staff with ball of clustered gems at one end

"Where are they going ? " asked Trot " house Wicked Witch, ," Pon replied "Come, follow them, for they intend to harm my dear Gloria "

"Won't they see us ? " she asked timidly

"We won't let them short cut trees to Blinkie's house," said he

So they hurried away trees and reached the house witch ahead King soldiers Hiding themselves shrubbery, they watched the approach of poor Gloria and her escort, all of whom passed so near that Pon put out hand and touched his sweetheart, had he dared to

Blinkie's house had eight sides, with door and window in each side Smoke was coming chimney and guards brought Gloria to doors opened old witch in person She chuckled with evil glee and rubbed her skinny hands together to show the delight she greeted her victim, for Blinkie was pleased to perform her wicked rites on one so fair and sweet Princess

Gloria struggled to resist bade her enter the house, so the soldiers forced her doorway and even the King gave her shove as he followed close behind Pon was so incensed cruelty shown Gloria that he forgot all caution and rushed forward to enter the house also; but soldiers prevented him, pushing the gardener's boy away with violence and slamming the door face

"Never mind," said Trot soothingly, as Pon rose from where he had fallen "You couldn't do much to help the poor Princess were inside How unfortunate it in love with her ! "

"True," he answered sadly, " indeed my misfortune If love her, it none business what the King did niece Gloria; but the unlucky circumstance loving her makes it my duty to defend her "

"I don't see how , duty or no duty," observed Trot

"No; powerless, for stronger than I But peek in window what doing "

Trot was somewhat curious, too, so they crept windows and looked in, and it so happened inside the witch's house were so busy notice that Pon and Trot were watching them

Gloria tied to stout post center room King was giving the Wicked Witch quantity of money and jewels, which Googly-Goo had provided in payment done the King said to her:

" perfectly sure freeze this maiden's heart, she will no longer love that low gardener's boy ? "

"Sure as witchcraft, your Majesty," the creature replied

"Then get to work," said the King " some unpleasant features ceremony annoy me, so I'll bid you good day and leave you to carry out your contract One word, however: fail, burn you stake ! " Then he beckoned soldiers him, and throwing wide the door house walked out

This action was so sudden that King Krewl almost caught Trot and Pon eavesdropping, but they managed to run around the house before them Away he marched, up the road, followed by his men, heartlessly leaving Gloria mercies of old Blinkie

again crept window, Trot and Pon saw Blinkie gloating over her victim Although nearly fainting from fear, the proud Princess gazed with haughty defiance face wicked creature; but she was bound so tightly post that do no more to express her loathing

Pretty soon Blinkie went to kettle that was swinging by chain over the fire and tossed several magical compounds The kettle gave three flashes, and at every flash another witch appeared room

These hags were very ugly but when one-eyed Blinkie whispered her orders they grinned with joy began dancing around Gloria First one and then another cast something kettle, when astonishment watchers window all three old women were instantly transformed into maidens of exquisite beauty, dressed daintiest costumes imaginable Only their eyes disguised, and an evil glare still shone in their depths But eyes were cast down or hidden, one help but admire these beautiful creatures, even knowledge were mere illusions of witchcraft

Trot certainly admired them, for she had never seen anything so dainty and bewitching, but her attention was quickly drawn deeds instead persons, and then horror replaced admiration kettle old Blinkie poured another mess from big brass bottle she took from chest, and this made the kettle begin to bubble and smoke violently One by one the beautiful witches approached to stir the contents kettle and to mutter magic charm Their movements were graceful and rhythmic Wicked Witch who had called them to her aid watched them with an evil grin upon her wrinkled face

Finally the incantation was complete The kettle ceased bubbling and together the witches lifted it fire Then Blinkie brought wooden ladle and filled it contents kettle Going spoon to Princess Gloria she cried:

"Love no more ! Magic art Now will freeze your mortal heart ! "

she dashed the contents ladle full upon Gloria's breast

Trot saw the body Princess become transparent, her beating heart showed plainly But now the heart turned from vivid red to gray, and then to white layer of frost formed and tiny icicles clung to its surface Then slowly the body girl became visible again heart was hidden from view Gloria seemed fainted, but now she recovered and, opening her beautiful eyes, stared coldly and without emotion group of witches confronting her

Blinkie others knew one cold look that their charm successful They burst into chorus of wild laughter three beautiful ones began dancing again, while Blinkie unbound the Princess and set her free

Trot rubbed her eyes that she was wide awake and seeing clearly, for her astonishment was great three lovely maidens turned into ugly, crooked hags again, leaning on broomsticks and canes They jeered at Gloria, but the Princess regarded them with cold disdain Being now free, she walked to door, opened it and passed out witches let her go

Trot and Pon so intent scene that in their eagerness they had pressed quite hard against the window Just as Gloria went house the window- sash broke loose from its fastenings and fell with crash room The witches uttered chorus of screams and then, seeing that their magical incantation observed, they rushed open window with uplifted broomsticks and canes But Pon was off like the wind, and Trot followed at his heels Fear lent them strength to run, to leap across ditches, to speed up the hills and to vault the low fences as deer would

The band of witches had dashed window in pursuit; but Blinkie was so old, others so crooked and awkward, soon realized unable to overtake the fugitives So the three who summoned Wicked Witch put their canes or broomsticks between their legs and flew away air, quickly disappearing against the blue sky Blinkie, however, was so enraged at Pon and Trot that she hobbled on direction they had taken, fully determined to catch them, , and to punish them terribly for spying upon her witchcraft

When Pon and Trot had run were confident they had made good their escape, they sat down near the edge of forest their breath again, for both were panting hard from their exertions Trot first to recover speech, and she said to her companion:

"My ! wasn't it terr'ble ? "

"The most terrible thing I ever saw," Pon agreed

" froze Gloria's heart; so now 't love you any more "

"Well, they froze her heart, ," admitted Pon, "but I'm in hopes melt it with my love "

Where s'pose Gloria is ? " asked the girl, after pause

"She left the witch's house just before Perhaps she has gone back King's castle,"

"I'm pretty sure she started off in diff'rent direction," declared Trot "I looked over my shoulder, as I ran, how close the witches were, and I'm sure Gloria walking slowly away toward the north "

"Then circle around that way," proposed Pon, "and perhaps meet her "