"The small W is Cassiopeia," said Mary, "and the large one is Cepheus; but I shall tell you their story another time, as it is getting late now. Under the large W, you will see some stars that look like a large cross. This is sometimes called the Northern Cross, but it is better known as the Swan." LEGEND OF THE SWAN. "The 'Swan' is supposed to represent a wonderful musician named Orpheus. Apollo gave him a magic harp, which he played with such sweetness that the wild beasts of the forest were tamed by its sounds, rapid rivers ceased to flow, and mountains and trees listened to the music. "One day Orpheus met a beautiful maiden named Eurydice, and won her for his bride. But their happiness did not last long, as a serpent lurking in the grass stung her foot, and she died of the wound. "Orpheus mourned her sadly, until at last he died and his spirit met hers in the kingdom of Pluto. Afterward Orpheus and Eurydice were placed among the stars. You can see the harp beside Orpheus, and it is adorned with a sparkling blue star named Vega. "And now one more story," said Mary, as she heard the church clock chime nine, "and then we must say 'good-by' to the stars for to-night." [Illustration: THE SWAN.] "It has been lovely," said Harry. "I could listen to these stories all night long. How I shall enjoy the stars since you have told me so much about them! What are you going to tell me now?" "Just under the Swan can you see a bright star, and a little star on each side of it?" asked Mary. Harry looked, and after a few moments he found them. When his sister had made sure that he could see the stars she meant, she began her story as follows: MEETING OF THE STAR-LOVERS. "The Japanese call the Milky Way the Silver River of Heaven, and they believe that on the seventh day of the seventh month (7th of July), the Shepherd-boy star and the Spinning-maiden star cross the Milky Way to meet each other. Vega, the bright star in the harp, is supposed to be the spinning-maiden, and on the other side of the Milky Way, crossing over where you see the bright star and the little star on each side, you will find the shepherd boy, otherwise known as the Goat. These stars are known among the Japanese as the 'boy with an ox' and 'the girl with a shuttle,' about whom the following story is told: "There once lived on the banks of the Silver River of Heaven a beautiful maiden who was the daughter of the Sun. Night and morning she was always weaving, blending the roseate hues of morning with the silvery tints of evening. That is why she was called the Spinning maiden. The Sun-king chose a husband for her. He was a Shepherd boy who guarded his flocks on the banks of the celestial stream.