" ," said Betsy "I once knew little boy who wanted to catch the measles, because all the little boys neighborhood but him had 'em, and really unhappy 'cause he couldn't catch 'em, try as So I'm pretty certain things , and can't have, good Isn't that true, Shaggy ? "

"Not always, my dear," he gravely replied " didn't want anything, never get anything, good or bad our longings are natural, and act as nature prompts us 't go far wrong "

" part," said Queen Ann, " the world dreary place without the gold and jewels "

"All things are good in their way," said Shaggy; "but of any good thing And noticed value of anything depends upon how scarce , and how difficult to obtain "

"Pardon me for interrupting you," said King Kaliko, coming side, "but now that rescued Shaggy's brother like to return to my royal cavern Being the King Nomes, my duty to look after my restless subjects behave themselves "

So they all turned and began walking Metal Forest other side great domed cave, where they had first entered it Shaggy brother walked side by side and both seemed rejoiced were together after their long separation Betsy didn't dare look polka dot handkerchief, for fear laugh aloud; so she walked behind the two brothers and led Hank by holding fast left ear

When at last they reached the place where the passage led outer world, Queen Ann said, in hesitating way that was unusual with her:

" conquered this Nome Country, nor do I expect ; but like to gather few pretty jewels before I leave this place "

"Help yourself, ma'am," said King Kaliko, and at once the officers Army took advantage royal permission and began filling their pockets, while Ann tied lot of diamonds in big handkerchief

This accomplished, they all entered the passage, the nomes going first to light the way with their torches They proceeded far when Betsy exclaimed:

"Why, jewels here, too ! "

All eyes were turned ground found regular trail of jewels strewn along the rock floor

" queer ! " said Kaliko, much surprised " send some nomes to gather up these gems and replace them Metal Forest, where they belong I wonder how they came here ? "

All the way along the passage they found this trail of jewels, but neared the end the mystery was explained For there, squatted floor back rock wall, sat old Ruggedo, puffing and blowing all tired out Then they realized he who had scattered the jewels, many pockets, which one by one had burst weight contents as he had stumbled along the passage

"But I don't mind," said Ruggedo, with deep sigh "I now have carried such weighty load very far, even had I managed to escape passage with it The woman who sewed the pockets on my robe used poor thread, thank her "

" any jewels left ? " inquired Betsy

He glanced into remaining pockets

"A few," said he, "but sufficient to supply my wants, and I no longer have any desire rich If some of kindly help me to rise, I'll get out of here and leave you, for you all despise me and prefer my room to my company "

Shaggy and Kaliko raised the old King feet, when confronted by Shaggy's brother, whom he now noticed first time The queer and unexpected appearance Ugly One so startled Ruggedo that wild cry and began to tremble, he had seen ghost

"Wh--wh--who ? " he faltered

" that helpless prisoner whom your cruel magic transformed from handsome man into an ugly one ! " answered Shaggy's brother, in voice of stern reproach

"Really, Ruggedo," said Betsy, "you ashamed mean trick "

" , my dear," admitted Ruggedo, who was now as meek and humble as formerly he cruel and vindictive

"Then," returned the girl, "you'd better do some more magic and give the poor man his own face again "

" ," answered the old King; "but remember that Tititi-Hoochoo has deprived me of all my magic powers However, I never took the trouble to learn just how to break the charm I cast over Shaggy's brother, for I intended always remain ugly "

"Every charm," remarked pretty Polychrome, "has its antidote; and, if this charm of ugliness, Ruggedo, known how to dispel it "

He shook his head

"If , I--I've forgotten," he stammered regretfully

"Try ! " pleaded Shaggy, anxiously "Please try ! "

Ruggedo ruffled his hair with both hands, sighed, slapped his chest, rubbed his ear, and stared stupidly around the group

"I've faint recollection that break the charm," said he; "but misfortune has so addled my brain that 't remember what "

"See here, Ruggedo," said Betsy, sharply, "we've treated you pretty well, , but we won't stand for any nonsense, and what's good you'll think charm ! "

"Why ? " he demanded, turning to look wonderingly little girl

"Because it means to Shaggy's brother He's dreadfully ashamed of himself, the way now, and you're to blame Fact is, Ruggedo, you've done wickedness in your life won't hurt you kind act now "

Ruggedo blinked at her, and sighed again, and then tried very hard

"I seem to remember, dimly," said he, "that certain kind of kiss will break the charm of ugliness "

"What kind of kiss ? "

"What kind ? Why, -- -- either the kiss of Mortal Maid; or--or--the kiss of Mortal Maid who had once been Fairy; or--or the kiss of one still Fairy 't remember which But no maid, mortal or fairy, would ever consent to kiss person so ugly--so dreadfully, fearfully, terribly ugly--as Shaggy's brother "

"I'm not so sure ," said Betsy, with admirable courage; "I'm Mortal Maid, and my kiss break this awful charm, I-- I'll ! "

"Oh, you really couldn't," protested Ugly " obliged to remove my mask, and saw my face, nothing could induce you to kiss me, generous "

"Well, as ," said the little girl, "I needn't see your face at all Here's my plan: You stay dark passage, and we'll send away the nomes with their torches Then you'll take off the handkerchief, and I--I'll kiss you "

" awfully kind of you, Betsy ! " said Shaggy, gratefully

"Well, it surely won't kill me," she replied; "and, makes you and your brother happy, I'm willing some chances "

So Kaliko ordered the torch-bearers to leave the passage, which by going rock opening Queen Ann and her army also went out; but the others were so interested in Betsy's experiment remained grouped mouth passageway big rock swung into place, closing tight the opening, they were left in total darkness

"Now, then," called Betsy in cheerful voice, " got that handkerchief off your face, Ugly ? "

"Yes," he replied

"Well, where , then ? " she asked, reaching out her arms

"Here," said he

"You'll have to stoop down, "

her hands and clasping them own stooped until his face was near little girl The others heard clear, smacking kiss, and then Betsy exclaimed:

"There ! I've done it, and it didn't hurt bit ! "

"Tell me, dear brother; charm broken ? " asked Shaggy

" know," reply "It , or it may not be tell "

"Has anyone match ? " inquired Betsy

" several," said Shaggy

"Then let Ruggedo strike and look at your brother's face, while we all turn our backs Ruggedo made your brother ugly, so I guess stand the horror of looking at him, charm isn't broken "

Agreeing , Ruggedo took the match and lighted it one look and then blew out the match

"Ugly as ever ! " with shudder "So it wasn't the kiss of Mortal Maid, after all "

"Let me try," proposed the Rose Princess, in her sweet voice " Mortal Maid who was once Fairy Perhaps my kiss will break the charm "

Files wholly approve , but too generous to interfere So the Rose Princess felt her way darkness to Shaggy's brother and kissed him

Ruggedo struck another match, while they all turned away

"No," announced the former King; "that didn't break the charm, either It the kiss of Fairy required--or else my memory has failed me altogether "

"Polly," said Betsy, pleadingly, "won't you try ? "