bushy beard as white as snow. A red cloak trimmed with beautiful ermine
hung from his shoulders and upon his back was a basket filled with
pretty presents for the Princess Ozma.

"Hello, Dorothy; still having adventures?" he asked in his jolly way, as
he took the girl's hand in both his own.

"How did you know my name, Santa?" she replied, feeling more shy in the
presence of this immortal saint than she ever had before in her young
life.

"Why, don't I see you every Christmas Eve, when you're asleep?" he
rejoined, pinching her blushing cheek.

"Oh; do you?"

"And here's Button-Bright, I declare!" cried Santa Claus, holding up the
boy to kiss him. "What a long way from home you are; dear me!"

"Do you know Button-Bright, too?" questioned Dorothy, eagerly.

"Indeed I do. I've visited his home several Christmas Eves."

"And do you know his father?" asked the girl.

[Illustration: MERRY RYLS AND CROOKED KNOOKS]

"Certainly, my dear. Who else do you suppose brings him his Christmas
neckties and stockings?" with a sly wink at the Wizard.

"Then where does he live? We're just crazy to know, 'cause
Button-Bright's lost," she said.

Santa laughed and laid his finger aside of his nose as if thinking what
to reply. He leaned over and whispered something in the Wizard's ear, at
which the Wizard smiled and nodded as if he understood.

Now Santa Claus spied Polychrome, and trotted over to where she stood.

"Seems to me the Rainbow's Daughter is farther from home than any of
you," he observed, looking at the pretty maiden admiringly. "I'll have
to tell your father where you are, Polly, and send him to get you."

"Please do, dear Santa Claus," implored the little maid, beseechingly.

"But just now we must all have a jolly good time at Ozma's party," said
the old gentlemen, turning to put his presents on the table with the
others already there. "It isn't often I find time to leave my castle, as
you know; but Ozma invited me and I just couldn't help coming to
celebrate the happy occasion."

"I'm so glad!" exclaimed Dorothy.

"These are my Ryls," pointing to the little sprites squatting around
him. "Their business is to paint the colors of the flowers when they
bud and bloom; but I brought the merry fellows along to see Oz, and
they've left their paint-pots behind them. Also I brought these crooked
Knooks, whom I love. My dears, the Knooks are much nicer than they look,
for their duty is to water and care for the you