this with sigh of regret, and Ozma made no reply but laid the tiny instrument on her table, thus cutting off all further communication Shaggy Man But the lovely Ruler of Oz still watched her magic picture, with thoughtful expression upon her face, little Wizard of Oz watched Ozma and smiled softly to himself

cavern Nome King Shaggy replaced the wireless telephone pocket and turning to Betsy said in as cheerful voice as muster:

"Well, little comrade, what shall next ? "

"I don't know, I'm sure," she answered with puzzled face "I'm kind of sorry our adventures are over, for I enjoyed them, and now that Queen Ann and her people are gone, and Polychrome is gone, and--dear me ! --where's Tik-Tok, Shaggy ? "

"He also has disappeared," said Shaggy, looking around the cavern and nodding wisely " in Ozma's palace Land of Oz, his home "

"Isn't it your home, too ? " asked Betsy

"It used , my dear; but now my home is wherever you and my brother are wanderers, , but stick together "

"Then," said the girl, " get out stuffy, underground cavern and go in search of new adventures I'm sure it has stopped raining "

"I'm ready," said Shaggy, and then they bade good-bye to King Kaliko, and thanked him assistance, and went out mouth passage

The sky was now clear and brilliant blue in color; the sun shone brightly and even this rugged, rocky country seemed delightful after their confinement underground There were but four now--Betsy and Hank, and Shaggy brother-- little party made their way down the mountain and followed faint path that led toward the southwest

During Ozma holding conference Wizard, and later with Tik- Tok, whom the magic Wizard had quickly transported to Ozma's palace Tik-Tok had only words of praise for Betsy Bobbin, "who," , "is al-most as nice as Dor-o-thy her-self "

" send for Dorothy," said Ozma, and summoning her favorite maid, who was named Jellia Jamb, she asked her to request Princess Dorothy to attend her at once So later Dorothy entered Ozma's room and greeted her Wizard and Tik-Tok same gentle smile and simple manner that had won little girl the love of everyone she met

"Did you me, Ozma ? " she asked

"Yes, dear puzzled how to act, and your advice "

"I don't b'lieve it's worth much," replied Dorothy, "but I'll best it all about, Ozma ? "

"You all know," said the girl Ruler, addressing her three friends, "what serious thing to admit any mortals fairyland of Oz true invited several mortals their home here, and all have proved true and loyal subjects Indeed, no one of you three was native of Oz Dorothy Wizard came here United States, and Tik-Tok came Land of Ev But mortal Shaggy is another American, and he cause of all my worry, dear Shaggy will not return here and desert the new friends he has found recent adventures, because he believes they need his services "

"Shaggy Man was always kind-hearted," remarked Dorothy "But these new friends he has found ? "

"One is his brother, who for many years prisoner Nome King, our old enemy Ruggedo This brother seems kindly, honest fellow, but he nothing to entitle him to home Land of Oz "

"Who else ? " asked Dorothy

" told you about Betsy Bobbin, the little girl who was shipwrecked--in much the same way you once were--and has since been following the Shaggy Man search lost brother You remember her, not ? "

"Oh, yes ! " exclaimed Dorothy "I've often watched her and Hank Magic Picture, She's dear little girl, and old Hank is darling ! Where are they now ? "

"Look ," replied Ozma with smile at her friend's enthusiasm

Dorothy turned Picture, which showed Betsy and Hank, with Shaggy brother, trudging along the rocky paths of barren country

"Seems ," she said, musingly, " 're good way from any place to sleep, or any nice things to eat "

" right," said Tik-Tok " coun-try, and wil-der-ness "

" country nomes," explained the Wizard, " so mischievous that no one cares to live near them I'm afraid Shaggy friends will endure many hardships get out rocky place, unless--"

He turned to Ozma and smiled

"Unless I to transport them all here ? " she asked

"Yes, your Highness "

"Could your magic ? " inquired Dorothy

" so," said the Wizard

"Well," said Dorothy, "as far as Betsy and Hank are concerned, I'd like them here in Oz It such fun girl playmate own age, And Hank is such dear little mule ! "

Ozma laughed wistful expression girl's eyes, and then she drew Dorothy to her and kissed her

"Am I not your friend and playmate ? " she asked

Dorothy flushed

" how dearly I love you, Ozma ! " she cried "But you're so busy ruling all this Land of Oz that 't always be together "

" , dear My first duty is to my subjects, and it delight all Betsy There's pretty suite of rooms just opposite your own where live, and I'll build golden stall for Hank stable where the Sawhorse lives Then we'll introduce the mule Cowardly Lion Hungry Tiger, and I'm sure soon become firm friends But admit Betsy and Hank into Oz unless I also admit Shaggy's brother "

"And, unless you admit Shaggy's brother, keep out poor Shaggy, whom all very fond of," said the Wizard

"Well, ad-mit him ? " demanded Tik-Tok

"The Land of Oz refuge for all mortals in distress," explained Ozma " wish unkind to Shaggy Man, but his brother has no claim on me "

"The Land of Oz isn't crowded," suggested Dorothy

"Then you advise me to admit Shaggy's brother ? " inquired Ozma

"Well, 't afford to lose our Shaggy Man, can we ? "

"No, indeed ! " returned Ozma "What say, Wizard ? "

"I'm getting my magic ready to transport them all "

"And you, Tik-Tok ? "

"Shag-gy's broth-er is good fel-low, and 't spare Shag-gy "

"So, then; the question is settled," decided Ozma "Perform your magic, Wizard ! "

so, placing silver plate upon small standard and pouring plate small quantity of pink powder contained in crystal vial Then he muttered rather difficult incantation which the sorceress Glinda the Good had taught him, and it all ended in puff of perfumed smoke silver plate This smoke was so pungent made both Ozma and Dorothy rub their eyes for moment

" pardon these disagreeable fumes," said the Wizard "I assure you the smoke is very necessary part wizardry "

"Look ! " cried Dorothy, pointing Magic Picture; "they're gone ! All are gone "

Indeed, the picture now showed the same rocky landscape as before, but the three people mule had disappeared

" gone," said the Wizard, polishing the silver plate and wrapping it in fine cloth, "because here "

moment Jellia Jamb entered the room

"Your Highness," she said to Ozma, "the Shaggy Man and another man are waiting room and ask their respects Shaggy is crying like baby, but tears of joy "

" here at once, Jellia ! " commanded Ozma

"Also," continued the maid, "a girl and small- sized mule have mysteriously arrived, but they don't seem where or how they came here Shall I here, too ? "

"Oh, no ! " exclaimed Dorothy, eagerly jumping up from her chair; "I'll go to meet Betsy myself, for she'll feel awful strange big palace "

And she ran down the stairs two to greet her new friend, Betsy Bobbin

Chapter Twenty-Five

The Land of Love

"Well, is 'hee-haw' all ? " inquired the Sawhorse, as he examined Hank knot eyes and slowly wagged the branch that served him for tail

They were in beautiful stable rear of Ozma's palace, where the wooden Sawhorse-- alive--lived in gold-paneled stall, and where there were rooms Cowardly Lion Hungry Tiger, which were filled with soft cushions to lie upon and golden troughs to eat from