The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-01-20
YVONNETTE.


found anywhere in Vendee.
Jean Malo, her father, n farmer on
the estate of Count de Mordine, had
quilted his home for some weeks pre-
viously with several companions, with
his gun slung over his shoulder and n
stout club iu his hand, to hunt the
boar-nt least, so bo said. But It 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 Cathelinenu, 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. and
sought consolation with her doll Rose.
The latter was a beautiful Breton doll
that her father had bought at the fair
at Auray, year before, and was
Yvonnette's inseperabls 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, tho sound of firearms and
the shouting of an excited crowd were
familiar sounds to her, and we're mere
" associated in her baby mind with
the holidays, whom tho grand
lords and ladies from the neigh
boring castle deigned to take
part in the fetes and dancing
upon tho village green. But Anne
Malo. her mother, white and rigid as q
taper, aud her hands pressed tightly
upon her heart, was gazing ont OF the
window with wide, frightened eyes
"What is tho matter, mammal"
questioned tho 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 tho bed.
Yvonnette watched her wonderingly
and her big blue eyes wandered from
the kueeling 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 q
countryman, pale and bedraggled,
with gun in Que hand and a fag in
the other, burst into the house and
slammed the door behind him.
"Papal Papa!" screamed Yvon.
nette. delightedly.
Anne Malo had sprung to her feet
and thrown herself into her husband d. q
| arms.
"Whatever has happened?" she
sobbed. II 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 Il
carefully. If ever the Blues should
find it here it would be all up with
us."
he Kissed the standard reverently
and handed it to her. As he did 30 a
few drops of blood oozed from under
his cap and down his matted hair.
jean, you are woundedG" ex-
claimed Anne.
mo. it is nothing" replied the
CbOuan Dickin0 mn his 0un
"Where are you going?" she de-
manded, resolutely barring the door
with her body.
"To fight with the Others"
"You will do nothing of the kind. u
"Wife, let me pass" ordered Malo.
my comrades are waiting for me. II
10 my duty"