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Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank), 1856-1919

"Tik-Tok of Oz"

Take them
to your palaces and entertain them as guests until
to-morrow, when I command that they be brought
again to my Residence. By then I shall have formed
my plans."
No sooner had Tititi-Hoochoo spoken than he
disappeared from sight. Immediately after, most of
the Kings and Queens likewise disappeared. But
several of them remained visible and approached
the strangers with great respect. One of the
lovely Queens said to Betsy:
"I trust you will honor me by being my guest. I
am Erma, Queen of Light."
"May Hank come with me?" asked the girl.
"The King of Animals will care for your mule,"
was the reply. "But do not fear for him, for he
will be treated royally. All of your party will be
reunited on the morrow."
"I--I'd like to have some one with me," said
Betsy, pleadingly.
Queen Erma looked around and smiled upon
Polychrome.
"Will the Rainbow's Daughter be an agreeable
companion?" she asked.
"Oh, yes!" exclaimed the girl.
So Polychrome and Betsy became guests of the
Queen of Light, while other beautiful Kings and
Queens took charge of the others of the party.
The two girls followed Erma out of the hall
and through the gardens of the Residence to a
village of pretty dwellings. None of these was so
large or imposing as the castle of the Private
Citizen, but all were handsome enough to be
called palaces--as, in fact, they really were.


Chapter Twelve
The Lovely Lady of Light

The palace of the Queen of Light stood on a little
eminence and was a mass of crystal windows,
surmounted by a vast crystal dome.


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