Tom veads Archie's Story. 223

“Come quicker,” said Ralph. He seemed
afraid they might be late. They hurried on.
But as they reached the river, they suddenly
saw a great yellow face staring at them
through the black branches.

“Look!” they whispered, horribly fright.
ened; “there’s somebody there watching us.
Ralph, who is it ?”

“What are you stopping for?” called
Ralph, impatiently. ‘“ We’re too late as it is.
What are you stopping for ?” |

“Look!” repeated they, without moving ;
“who's that ?”

“How stupid you are!” cried Ralph.
“Don’t you know the face of the moon?
Haven't you seen her a hundred times be-
fore? Come along, do!”

“The moon!” exclaimed the children.
They were ashamed at not knowing her face

through the black branches; but somehow |

she looked different, like everything else, and
they still felt very shy of her, old friend
though she was.

At last they reached the place. Ralph

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