comfort
of others. When music is not very good, and is indulged in all the
time, it is better that the performer should be alone," said the
Princess.

"I like the Musicker's music," declared the boy, gravely.

"But I don't," said Dorothy.

"Well, there will be plenty of music at my celebration," promised Ozma;
"so I've an idea Button-Bright won't miss the Musicker at all."

Just then Polychrome danced in, and Ozma rose to greet the Rainbow's
Daughter in her sweetest and most cordial manner.

Dorothy thought she had never seen two prettier creatures together than
these lovely maidens; but Polly knew at once her own dainty beauty could
not match that of Ozma, yet was not a bit jealous because this was so.

The Wizard of Oz was announced, and a dried-up, little, old man, clothed
all in black, entered the drawing-room. His face was cheery and his eyes
twinkling with humor, so Polly and Button-Bright were not at all afraid
of the wonderful personage whose fame as a humbug magician had spread
throughout the world. After greeting Dorothy with much affection, he
stood modestly behind Ozma's throne and listened to the lively prattle
of the young people.

Now the shaggy man appeared, and so startling was his appearance, all
clad in shaggy new raiment, that Dorothy cried "Oh!" and clasped her
hands impulsively as she examined her friend with pleased eyes.

[Illustration]

"He's still shaggy, all right," remarked Button-Bright; and Ozma nodded
brightly because she had meant the shaggy man to remain shaggy when she
provided his new clothes for him.

Dorothy led him toward the throne, as he was shy in such fine company,
and presented him gracefully to the Princess, saying:

"This, your Highness, is my friend, the shaggy man, who owns the Love
Magnet."

"You are welcome to Oz," said the girl Ruler, in gracious accents. "But
tell me, sir, where did you get the Love Magnet which you say you own?"

The shaggy man grew red and looked downcast, as he answered in a low
voice:

"I stole it, your Majesty."

"Oh, Shaggy Man!" cried Dorothy. "How dreadful! And you told me the
Eskimo gave you the Love Magnet."

He shuffled first on one foot and then on the other, much embarrassed.

"I told you a falsehood, Dorothy," he said; "but now, having bathed in
the Truth Pond, I must tell nothing but the truth."

"Why did you steal it?" asked Ozma, gently.

"Because no one loved me, or cared for me," said the shaggy man, "and I
wa