Fantasy fiction; Oz (Imaginary place) -- Juvenile fiction
In the next instant Tom climbed to the wide rail that encircled the
Royal Box. Poised there for a moment, he gave a leap and landed on the
stage. Without hesitating a moment he dashed to the Shaggy Man, and to
the amazement of everyone in the audience except Twiffle, went through
the Shaggy Man's pockets. Tom gave an exultant cry. He had found what
he wanted. He held the Love Magnet before him, waving it first at the
Shaggy Man and then at Twink.
Shaggy and Twink started, then rubbed their eyes and stared about
them unbelievingly. Meanwhile Tom was busy. He didn't hesitate until
he had exposed the Love Magnet to the gaze of each of the enchanted
actors and actresses. As each one looked at the Love Magnet he lost
his glassy stare and came to life. In a few seconds the stage was
filled--not with dummies--but with human beings, bewildered, but freed
from the thralldom of King Ticket and Queen Curtain's evil spell. As
they recovered, several of them threw their arms around Tom, while all
gazed at the boy with fondness and love in their eyes. Twink suddenly
realized how greatly she loved her brother, and the first thing the
Shaggy Man said was, "A great boy, that Tom!"
Meanwhile King Ticket and Queen Curtain, as well as the entire audience
of Lords and Ladies had risen to their feet. None of them spoke. The
real drama suddenly being lived on the stage held them fascinated.
At this very moment, Tom advanced to the front center of the stage and
with all eyes upon him, flashed the Love Magnet before the audience.
A vast sigh went through the theater. And then there was a confused
babel as the Lords and Ladies crowded into the aisle, each of them bent
upon reaching the stage and embracing Tom, who, they realized suddenly,
was quite the most lovable person they had ever beheld.
King Ticket leaped from the Royal Box onto the stage, hurrying toward
Tom. "My dear boy," he exclaimed, "how could I have been so blind?
Isn't there something I can do for you? Name it, and you shall have it!
My Kingdom is yours for the asking!"
Queen Curtain was standing in the box, arms out-stretched appealingly
to Tom. "You darling boy!" she cried, "How wonderful it is that you
have come to visit us!"
Twiffle was sitting quietly in the Royal Box, grinning broadly.
"Wouldn't old Conjo be surprised," he thought, "if he knew how well the
Love Magnet has done its work?--Tom really is quite a boy!"
CHAPTER 14
The Valley of Love
That night there was a great feast in the Grand Dining Room of the
castle. Tom was the guest of honor, sitting at the head of the table
between King Ticket and Queen Curtain. Twink, feeling very proud of her
brother, sat at the Queen's right with the Shaggy Man and Twiffle at
her side. In addition to the Lords and Ladies of the castle, all the
people who had formerly been actors and actresses were seated about
the table. There were speeches, merrymaking and much laughter while
everyone enjoyed course after course of the delicious food served.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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