Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-25

Ihe witch looked at Glinda dehant-
ly. but said not word.
Answer me" cried the Sorceress
But still Mombi remained silent
Perhaps she doesn't know" re-
marked Jack.
Il beg you will keep quiet" said
Tip. you might spoil everything
with your foolshness"
Very well, dear father" returned
the Pumpkinhead." meekly.
~ X
How glad I am to be Woggle-
Bug" murmured the Highly Magnified
Insect, softly. "No one can expect
wisdom to flow from pumpkin"
Well" said the Scarecrow, what
shall we do to make Mombi speak?
Unless she tells us what we wish to
know her capture will do us no good
at ALL"
suppose we try kindness" sug-
Gested the Tin Woodman. 'Ive heard
that any one can be conquered with
Kindness. no matter how ugly they
may be-"
At this the Witch turned to glare
upon him so horribly that the Tin
Woodman shrank back abashed.
Glinda had been carefully consider
Ing what to do, and now she turned to
Mombi and said:
You will gain nothing, l assure you
by thus defying us. For l am deter
mined to learn the truth about the
girl Ozma. and unless you tell me all
that you know, l will certainly put
you to DEATH"
oh, no! Don't do that" exclaimed
the Tin Woodman at would be an
awful thing to kill any one-even old
Mombi"
But it is merely a threat" returned
Glinda. Il shall not put Mombi to
death. because she will prefer to tell
me the truth"
"Oh, l see" said the Tin Man, much
relieved. s
Suppose I tell you all that you
wish to know" said Mombi, speaking
so suddenly that she startled them
all. what will YOU do with me
them"
= I'm that case" replied Glnda. II
sHdii merely ASK won 10 drink n
powerful draught which will cause
you to forget all the magic you have
ever learned"
Then l would become a helpless
old woman"
But you would be alive" sug-
gested the Pumpkinhead. consolingly.
do try to keep SILENT" said Tip.
nervously.
'Ill try" responded Jack; but you
will admit that it's a good thing to
be alive"
Especially il one happens to be
thoroughly educated" added the
.Woggle-Bug, nodding approval.
"You may make your choice" Glinda
said to old Mombi, between death
ii you remain silent, and the loss of
your magical powers If you tell me
the truth. But l think you will prefer
to live"
Mombi cast an uneasy glance at
the Sorceress. and saw that she was
in earnest, and not to be trified with.
So she replied slowly:
II will answer your questions"
That is what I expected" said
Glinda, pleasantly. You have chosen
wisely, assure you"
She then motioned to one of her
captains, who brouht her a beauti-
full golden casket. From this the
Sorceress drew an immense white
pearl. attached to a slender chain,
which she placed around her neck in
such a way that the pearl rested upon
her bosom, directly over her heart.
Now" said she. II will ask my
first question: Why did the Wizard
pay you three visits?"
Because l would not come to him."
answered Mombi.
THAT is no answer" said Glinda,
sternly Tell me the truth"
We'll" returned Mombi, with down.
cast eyes," he visited me to learn
the way I make tea biscuits"
Look up" commanded the sor-
ceress.
Mombi obeyed.
what is the color Of my pearl?" de-
manded Giinda.
"Why-it is black" replied the old
Witch. in tone Of wonder.
Then you have told me a false
hoodn' cried Glinda. angrily. "Only
when the truth is spoken will my
magic pearl remain a pure white in