Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-01-08
YVONNEITE.

uNe buulneIs1 duu WIN HeE Wtc tiShi-
fitting white hood and tiny sabots was
as pretty n child as could have been
found anywhere in Vendee.
Jean Malo, her father, farmer on
the estate of Count de Mordine, had
quilted his home for some weeks pre-
viously with several companions, with
lis gun slung over his shoulder and
stout club in his hand, to hunt the
boar-at least, so he said. But 1t was
in 1893; General Santerre's grenadiers
had invaded Brittany, and Yvonnette's
mother had grave reason to fear that
he had gone on an infinitely more
dangerous hunt.
Rumors of fighting had circulated
freely throughout the province, the
toscin changed from church towers,
and in response thereto the youth of
the villages were focking to the stand
ard OF Cathelineau, whom the Bretons
had chosen for their commander in
chief.
On the day on which this story
opens Yvonnette's mother was more
thoughtful and agitated than usual, so
much SO that her trouble was noticed
by the child, who demanded several
times:
"Where is papa?"
Receiving no answer to this and
other questions, she at last drew her
little stool up to the window, aud
sought consolation with her doll Rose.
The latter was beautiful Breton doll
that her futher had bought at the fair
at Auray, year before, and was
Yvonnette's inseperable companion
and the recipient Of all her conf
dences.
Suddenly shouts were heard outside,
followed by several shots fred in
quick succession. The child was in
no way frightened. The changing of
the bells, the sound of firearms and
the shouting of an excited crowd were
familiar sounds TO her, and were mere
ly associated in her baby mind with
the holidays, when the grand
lords and ladies from the neigh
boring castle deigned to take
part in the fetes and dancing
upon the village green. But Ammo
Malo, her mother, white and rigid as n
taper, and her hands pressed tightly
upon her heart, was gazing out of the
window with wide, frightened eyes.
"What is the matter, mammal"
questioned the child.
"Hush, darling was the only reply
of the farmers wife, who suddenly
recovered herself, closed the shutters,
lit the lamp and dropped on her knees
beside the bed.
Yvonnette watched her wonderingly
and her big blue eyes wandered from
the kneeling figure to the high gothic
fireplace, beside which the cat was
purring and blinking contentedly.
She was about to follow her inclina-
ton and go to play with him, when
the door was flung open and a
countryman, pale and bedraggled,
with gun in Que hand and a flag in
the other, burst into the house and
slammed the door behind him.
"Papal Papal" screamed WON
nette, delightedly.
Anne Malo had sprung to her feet
and thrown herself into her husbands
arms.
"Whatever has bappened?" she
sobbed. 81 have been nearly wild
with anxiety every hour since you
have been away"
All is lost!" responded the farmer
moodily. "Take this flag and hide it
carefully. If ever the Blues should
find it here it would be all up with
u.s."
He kissed the standard reNerently
and handed it to her. As he did so a
few drops of blood oozed from under
his cap and down his matted hair.
'Jean, you are wounded" ex-
claimed Anne.
''No, it is nothing" replied the
Chounn, picking up his gun.
"Where are you going?" she de-
manded, resolutely barring the door
with her body.
ITO fight with the Others"
"You will do nothing of the kind. "
"Wife, let me pass" ordered Malo.
my comrades are waiting for me. 1t
is my duty"
"You shall not CO." she repeated.
Then STOPPING swiftly she picked up
the child and held her out to him.
'''You haven't even kissed baby, she
exclaimed, reproachfully.
Malo wavered.
"They will think am coward.
be groaned, staggering against the bed
in spite of himself and leaning upon it
for support.
%tJean You are wounded, knew it.
q into the cellar and let me take
Jyou," she entreated. "Ihe