The Ordway new era., 1909-09-03
CHAPTER II.-continued.

CHAPTER Ii.-continued.
Who is Aunt Em?" inquired the lit.
tie old woman
she Is my aunt who lives in Kan
sas. where | came from"
The Witch OF the North seemed TO
think for time. with her head bowed
and her eyes upon the ground. Then
she looked up and said:
Il do not know where Kansas is.
for | have never heard that country
mentioned before. But tell me. is 1t
q civilized country"
"Oh. yes" replied Dorothy.
Then that accounts for It In the
civilized countries l believe there are
no witches left: nor wizards. nor sor-
ceresses. nor magicians, But, you see.
the Land OF Or has never been civi.
lized. for We are cut OF from all the
rest OF the world. Therefore We still
have witches and wizards amongst
US"
Who are the wizards?" asked Dor
othy.
"Oz himself is the Great Wizard
answered the Witch. sinking her voice
to a whisper. He Is more powerful
than all the rest OF us together. He
lives in the City of Emeralds."
Dorothy was going to ask another
question. but just then the Munchkins.
who had been standing silently by.
gave a loud shout and pointed to the
corner OF the house where the Wicked
Witch had been lying.
What is it," asked the little old
n
laugh. The feet OF the dead Witch
had disappeared entirely and nothing
was left but the silver shoes.
She was so DID," explained the
Witch Of the North, that she dried up
quickly in the sun. That is the end
OF her. But the silver shoes are yours,
and you shall have them to wear"
She reached down and picked up the
shoes. and, after shaking the dust out
OF them. handed them to Dorothy.
The Witch of the East was proud
OF those silver shoes" said one Of the
Munchkins: land there is some charm
connected with them: but what II is
We never knew"
Dorothy carried the shoes into the
house and placed them on the table.
Then she came out again to the
Munchkins and said:
Il am anxious to get back to my
aunt and uncle, for am sure they
will worry about me. Can you help
me find M way?"
The Munchkins and the Witch first
looked at one another, and then at
Dorothy, and then shook their heads.
AT the East, not far from here"
said one. there is a great desert. and
none could live to cross it,
1T is the same at the South" said
another, for | have been there and
seen 1t. The South Is the country of
the Quadlings.'
Il am told" said the third man.
that 1t is the same at the West. And
that country. where the Wrinkles live,
is ruled by the wicked Witch of the
West. who would make you her slave
II you passed her way"
The North is my home" said the
old lady. land at its edge is the same
great desert that surrounds this land
of OF. I'm afraid. my dear. you will
have to live with u.s."
Dorothy began to sob, at this, for
she felt lonely among all these strange
people. Her tears seemed to grieve
the kind-hearted Munchkins, for they
Immediately took out their handker.
chiefs and began to weep also. As for
the little old woman, she took off her
cap and balanced the point on the
end Of her nose. while she counted
"one. two. three" in solemn voice.
At once the cap changed to a slate, on
which was written in big, white chalk
marks:
LET DOROTHY co TO THE CITY
OF EMERALDS"
The little old woman took the slate
from her nose. and, having read the
words on 1t, asked:
rs your name Dorothy, my dear?"
Yes" answered the child, looking
up and drying her tears.
Then you must go to the City Of
Emeralds. Perhaps Or will help you"
Where is this city" asked Dorothy.
1T is exactly in the center of the
country, and is ruled by OF, the
Great Wizard told you Of"
"Is he a good man" inquired the
girl, anxiously.
He n a good Wizard. Whether he
10 q man or not I cannot tell, for
have never seen him.
How can get there?' asked Dor.
othy.