The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-02
a trihe ashamed but thoroughly happy.


For a moment she was disconnected:
her bonnet was SO large and empty on her
head. But she would not be married befo.e
November, and by that time her hair would
have grown little and she would have
learned how to stuff ont her rap with straw
go that Johann need not be any the wiser.
The first Of June, the day OF the summer
festival, Johann returned to his native viii
lage.
1Oh, what fine shawl you havel' he e1-
claimed as he caught sight Of Catissou
waiting by the road
The shepherdess blushed with pleasure.
The lovers embraced and the returned SOL
der made her turn before him, as at the
dances, to admire the pink howered shawl
with its silken fringe.
and her hair seemed even thicker than when
he went away; her petticoat too had been
brushed and turned to look like newt She
was very beautiful, certainly. Johann had
seen no one to compare with her.
The girl too was frankly delighted to
see how tall and fine looking her lover
had become. His beard was thick and curly
and his brown eyes shone brightly with joy
and happiness,
The two families dined with Johann's
grandparents in the village. Besides his
clothes, which he carried rolled UP in bun
die over his shoulder, the young man had
brought home carefully tied round box
OF cardboard, What 1t contained nobody
knew, but Catissou was sure that it would be
opened at the appropriate hour.
After dinner, before the hour OF yespers,
Johann stroled downin the meadows will his
betrothed, the box beneath his arm. They
turned toward the fields where they had
formerly, kept their sheep together. When
they had reached the stone seat half way
up the hill. the young man egged Catissol
ment, delighting in her fine appearance.
Such beautiful shawl Where did you
get itf l am sure you wore it to do me
honor, dear .Catissou! All, you are not the
only one to have brilliant thought With
will be complete. didn't want to undo the
parcel before the Others, for l wanted to
be alone to see your surprise and your
pleasure, my dear. You will be wonder
fully dressed when we go to vespers to-
gether"
Johan united the string which fastened
the box and, raising the lid took out poor
little hat OF black straw, trimmed with CHEAP
blue, flowers. At the sight the shep-
herdess sighed heavily and two big tears
appeared in the corners of her eyes.
Mistaken as to the cause of her emotion,
her lover redoubled his tenderness. Seiz-
ing her bonnet suddenly he drew 1t of,
only to look aghast at the girls shon head
and the ,stuffing Of straw in the wide stiffly
starched cap.
Catissou hid her face in her hands and
wept as pitifully as child detected in
fault.
For a second Johann looked at her In
wondering dismay. Then he understood
1T was for the shawl! 1t was for you'll
wept the girl.
But Johann's eyes we're full OF a loving
pity: Without a word he put the hat back
in the box and helped his sweetheart to
restore the scattered straw.
Don't cry 80. little Catissou' The hair
will all grow out again and the hat can
stay where it Is until we want it; it will
look very well for our wedding. Come,
give me kiss and tell me that you love me,
sweetheart. Another, and another"
Reassured. Catissou wiped her eyes on
the pink shawl and lifted her face happily
for Johann S kiss, And for the first time her
lovers lips sought hers