"That suits me," said Tik-Tok "But Rug-ge-do is o-ther side world where a-way out of your reach "

The Citizen drew himself up proudly

" imagine anything or upon it reach Great Jinjin ? " he asked

"Oh ! , then, the Great Jinjin ? " inquired Tik-Tok

" "

"Then is Ti-ti-ti-Hoo-choo ? "

" "

Queen Ann gave scream and began to tremble Shaggy was so disturbed that out handkerchief and wiped the perspiration brow Polychrome looked sober and uneasy first time, while Files put his arms around the Rose Princess to protect her As officers, the name great Jinjin set them moaning and weeping at great rate and fell upon his knees throne, begging for mercy Betsy was worried at seeing her companions so disturbed, but know what all about Only Tik-Tok was unmoved discovery

"Then," said he, " Ti-ti-ti-Hoo-choo, and think Rug-ge-do is to blame, that some-thing queer will hap-pen King Nomes "

"I wonder what 'twill be," said Betsy

The Private Citizen--otherwise known as Tititi- Hoochoo, the Great Jinjin--looked little girl steadily

" presently decide to happen to Ruggedo," said he in hard, stern voice Then, turning throng of Kings and Queens, he continued: "Tik-Tok has spoken truly, machinery will not allow him to lie, nor will it allow his thoughts falsely Therefore these people our enemies and treated with consideration and justice Take them to your palaces and entertain them as guests until to-morrow, when I command be brought again to my Residence By then formed my plans "

No sooner had Tititi-Hoochoo spoken than he disappeared from sight Immediately after, most Kings and Queens likewise disappeared But several remained visible and approached the strangers with great respect lovely Queens said to Betsy:

"I trust honor me by being my guest Erma, Queen of Light "

"May Hank come with me ? " asked the girl

"The King of Animals will care for your mule," reply "But fear for him, for treated royally All of your party reunited morrow "

"I--I'd like some one with me," said Betsy, pleadingly

Queen Erma looked around and smiled upon Polychrome

"Will the Rainbow's Daughter be an agreeable companion ? " she asked

"Oh, yes ! " exclaimed the girl

So Polychrome and Betsy became guests Queen of Light, while other beautiful Kings and Queens took charge others party

The two girls followed Erma hall and gardens Residence to village of pretty dwellings None was so large or imposing castle Private Citizen, but all were handsome enough called palaces--as, , they really were

Chapter Twelve

The Lovely Lady of Light

The palace Queen of Light stood on little eminence and was mass of crystal windows, surmounted by vast crystal dome entered the portals Erma was greeted by six lovely maidens, evidently of high degree, who at once aroused Betsy's admiration Each bore wand in her hand, tipped with an emblem of light, and their costumes were also emblematic lights they represented Erma introduced them to her guests and each made graceful and courteous acknowledgment

First was Sunlight, radiantly beautiful and very fair; the second was Moonlight, soft, dreamy damsel with nut-brown hair; next came Starlight, equally lovely but inclined retiring and shy These three were dressed in shimmering robes of silvery white The fourth was Daylight, brilliant damsel with laughing eyes and frank manners, who wore variety of colors Then came Firelight, clothed in fleecy flame-colored robe that wavered around her shapely form in very attractive manner The sixth maiden, Electra, most beautiful of all, and Betsy thought first that both Sunlight and Daylight regarded Electra with envy and were little jealous of her

But all were cordial in their greetings strangers and seemed to regard the Queen of Light with much affection, for they fluttered around her in flashing, radiant group as she led the way to her regal drawing-room

This apartment was richly and cosily furnished, the upholstery being of many tints, and both Betsy and Polychrome enjoyed resting themselves downy divans after their strenuous adventures day

The Queen sat down to chat with her guests, who noticed that Daylight only maiden now seated beside Erma The others had retired to another part room, where they sat modestly with entwined arms and intrude themselves at all

The Queen told the strangers all beautiful land, chief residences of fairies who minister needs of mankind important fairies lived there that, to avoid rivalry, they had elected as their Ruler the only important personage country who had no duties to mankind to perform and was, in effect, Private Citizen This Ruler, or Jinjin, as was his title, bore the name of Tititi- Hoochoo, most singular thing about him he had no heart But instead he possessed high degree of Reason and Justice and while he showed no mercy judgments he never punished unjustly or without reason To wrong- doers Tititi-Hoochoo was as terrible as heartless, but those who were innocent of evil had nothing to fear

All the Kings and Queens fairyland paid reverence to Jinjin, for expected obeyed by others they were willing to obey the one in authority over them

The inhabitants Land of Oz had heard many tales fearfully just Jinjin, whose punishments were always equal faults committed Polychrome also knew of him, although the first time she had ever seen him But to Betsy the story was all new, and she was greatly interested in Tititi-Hoochoo, whom she no longer feared

Time sped swiftly during their talk and suddenly Betsy noticed that Moonlight was sitting beside the Queen of Light, instead of Daylight

"But tell me, please," she pleaded, "why all wear dragon's head embroidered gowns ? "

Erma's pleasant face became grave as she answered:

"The Dragon, know, first living creature ever made; therefore the Dragon oldest and wisest of living things By good fortune the Original Dragon, who still lives, is resident land and supplies us with wisdom whenever in need of it old world and remembers everything that has happened world was created "

"Did he ever have any children ? " inquired the girl

"Yes, Some wandered into other lands, where men, not understanding them, made war upon them; but many still reside country None, however, is as wise Original Dragon, for whom great respect As he first resident here, we wear the emblem dragon's head to show that the favored people who alone have the right to inhabit this fairyland, which in beauty almost equals the Fairyland of Oz, and in power quite surpasses it "

"I understand dragon, now," said Polychrome, nodding her lovely head Betsy quite understand, but she was at present interested in observing the changing lights As Daylight had given way to Moonlight, so now Starlight sat right hand of Erma the Queen, and with her coming spirit of peace and content seemed the room Polychrome, being herself fairy, had many questions to ask various Kings and Queens who lived far-away, secluded place, and before Erma had finished answering them rosy glow filled the room and Firelight took her place beside the Queen

Betsy liked Firelight, but to gaze upon her warm and glowing features made the little girl sleepy, and presently she began to nod Thereupon Erma rose and took Betsy's hand gently in her own

"Come," said she; "the feast time has arrived feast is spread "

"That's nice," exclaimed the small mortal "Now that of it, I'm awful hungry But p'raps 't eat your fairy food "

The Queen smiled and led her to doorway As she pushed aside heavy drapery flood of silvery light greeted them, and Betsy saw before her splendid banquet hall, with table spread with snowy linen and crystal and silver At one side was broad, throne-like seat for Erma and beside her now sat the brilliant maid Electra Polychrome was placed Queen's right hand and Betsy upon her left The other five messengers of light now waited upon them, and each person was supplied with just the food she liked best Polychrome found her dish of dewdrops, all fresh and sparkling, while Betsy was so lavishly served that she decided she had never in her life eaten dinner half so good

"I s'pose," she said Queen, "that Miss Electra youngest of all these girls "

"Why suppose that ? " inquired Erma, with smile

"'Cause electric'ty newest light of Didn't Mr Edison discover it ? "

"Perhaps he first mortal to discover it," replied the Queen "But electricity was part world from its creation, and therefore my Electra is as old as Daylight or Moonlight, and equally beneficent to mortals and fairies alike "

Betsy was thoughtful for time Then she remarked, as she looked six messengers of light:

"We couldn't do without any of 'em; could we ? "

Erma laughed softly "I couldn't, I'm sure," she replied, "and mortals would miss maidens, Daylight cannot place of Sunlight, which gives us strength and energy Moonlight is of value when Daylight, worn out with her long watch, retires to rest moon in its course is hidden behind the earth's rim, and my sweet Moonlight cannot cheer us, Starlight takes her place, skies always lend her power Without Firelight miss much warmth and comfort, cheer walls of houses encompass us But always, when other lights forsake us, our glorious Electra is ready to flood us with bright rays As Queen of Light, I love all my maidens, for them faithful and true "

"I love 'em too ! " declared Betsy "But sometimes, when I'm real sleepy, get along without any light at all "

" sleepy now ? " inquired Erma, feast had ended

"A little," admitted the girl

So Electra showed her to pretty chamber where soft, white bed, and waited patiently until Betsy had undressed and put on shimmery silken nightrobe that lay beside her pillow Then the light-maid bade her good night and opened the door

When she closed it after her Betsy was in darkness In six winks the little girl was fast asleep

Chapter Thirteen

The Jinjin's Just Judgment

All the adventurers were reunited next morning were brought from various palaces Residence of Tititi-Hoochoo and ushered great Hall of State