The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1885-12-10
A VENDEEAN VICTIM.

Three women were watching an APP
preaching storm from their coy sit
! ting-room in the Castle of Theix.
When clear, ono could view from its
windows the whole bay of Morbihan,
on the sonth side of Bretagne. But
now the sky was covered with lower
ing clouds, and the shades of evening
were falling fast. The sultry atmos-
phere thickened; big rain-drops came
splashing down, and forked lightning
danced on the white-crested waves.
The storm that had been brooding all
the afternoon broke in real earnest.
One of the watchers, young girl,
abandoned her post of observation,
exclaiming:
"What a terrible storm we shall
have"
Deep signs escaped the lips OF the
other two, the elder one saying:'
Where is our poor Paul to-night?'
She was interrupted by an old SER
want bringing in lights, They sat
down at the table, each one seemingly
busying herself with some needle-work.
One OF the girls, suddenly looking up
from her work, saw that her mothers
eyes were filled with tears, She flung
her arms passionately around her
neck, saying tenderly:
BE comforted; Paul will return.
Fate will not be so cruel as to rob you
OF your son, Louise OF her betrothed
and ME of my brother. Why should
we be alarmed? So far we have re-
ceived no bad news"
"'Tis the silence. Marie, that is so
terrible. For three long months we
have heard nothing, absolutely moth
ing. This suspense could drive one
mad. O God, where is my darling son!
Is he sick, wounded, imprisoned"
She did not dare to pronounce the
word that would destroy all her hopes.
Marie's thoughts tiew TO the bloody
| battle-tields, where the defenders OF
the kingdom were fighting against the
victorious republic; to the gloomy
prisons, where they awaited, daunt-
lesslv, their dsath; to the forests and
ravines, where they mid from their
pu1suers. There might be her bret her;
| ti,e last descendant OF brave and
noble fan..is, the only hope OF her aged
mother.
Madame de Turgis, whe mas living
with her daughter and niece in the
Castle of Theix. had miraculo usly es-
capped from the persecution which had
befallen at that time, not only the
mobiles, but all that were loyal to tllsir
king. Until now. she had lived in
peace, although her son had taken an
active part in these struggles. But
what alarming fears, what anxiety
for the absent one, prescribed and
pursued!
But these fears had to be hidden, for
in those days no one could betrusted
Friends and servants were suspected,
all could become traitors. OalY
among themselves could they unbur-
den their hearts, bewail the state OF
their country, speak OF the atrocities
committed. and hope for the day
when all this would be ended: Madame
de Turgis possessed one true friend. 1t
was their old servant, Henri. .Heloved
his mistress dearly, and won d have
sacrificed his life for her. He was the
only one they trusted.
The clock struck nine. Henri ap-
ho fol 10 60
pie supper. While he was thus en-
ployed, Nine. de Turgis asked him il
he had heard any news.
"None, my lady, Yves, the fisher:
man, has told me that the fate o.
those poor prisoners has not yet Deep
decided" &
| E4fter bloody fight of several days, the
royahsis, who held the Fort of Penthievre
were compelled to surrender. The repre-
sentative, Talhep had the baseness to give
| the surrender such an appearance that
about seven hundred nobaemep were SEN
fenced to be shot. Their remains are in:
tered at Vannes.
"The poor soldiers! What will be
their fate?" asked Louise.
"They undoubtedly will be murder.
/ ed, replied Marie. "If only Paul -
She stopped abruptly. Did he &C
company Charette, who s1:!.. was
fighting VIGOROUSLY. Had he Joined
Sombreuil, or had he succeeded in
leaving France? Vain questions!
They knew nothing and dared not
ask
Henri had just served soup when the
bell rang. The joyous barking of a. dog
/ was heard.
That is my brother!" cried Marie,
in glad surprise.
Henri disappssred with lights. Deep
silence, reigned, only interrupted now
and then by peal of ti,4Rder. A
quick step was heard, the door opened
and a young man stepped into the
room, exclaiming:
"At last! at last"
He clasped his sister and mother to
his breast. Then Louise stepped for.
ward. He held out bis arms to her
and EMBODIED her in q fervent embrace
Madame de Turgis WAS nearly dis
tracted with joy; her son was once
more with her. She ordered Henri te
barricade all entrances to the castle
so as to guard them from every sur
prise. All her fears were now allayed
She had only thought: he is here, he il
saved!
4 n ~ # n ~
$50 you will take part in the cofi;'pl
campaign" Madame de THrgis asked
at length, after they had conversee
! for some time.
ayes, dear mother" said be. "Af
the survivors of General Charette's
J followers, of whomI am one, had unit
ed with theforce nnder Sombreuil't
| command. Home Of our soldiers hele
Fort Penthievre, on the Peninsula 0
Ouiberon, The contest at the foot Q
the fort lasted topr days. Nothing
mad been decided, unta We were be
J troops were faced on one sd
by the sea, on the other sid
BY the columns of the Republican
Array, which advanced rapidly. What
a horribis sight, this desperate htiniar
mass, whose only choice was either tn
l 4 >kr