The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-06-06
the SOLDIER.


direction OF the Chelsea College gar
dens. This shady littio nook holds
the home OF some OF our old soldiers.
There they sat in solemn rows of fours
and fives on the wooden benches in the
cool, green avenue, dreaming away
the long summer afternoons, while
they watched the children play on the
grass before them.
A great longing came over me to
learn something Of their lives.
II l could come across one alone, l
thought, there might be q chance Of
IL; 80, with lingering, backward look
at the old fellows, walked on till l
came to more secluded part Of the
gardens, where the pensioners culti-
vated little plots of ground, and sold
flowers aud ferns to the nurses aud
children, the proceeds Of which en-
abled them to buy tobacco aud rum
and other small Injuries.
1t had been intensely hot, but now
refreshing breeze was tossing the
lilac and laburnum trees, and in the
cool of the day the old men we're hard
at work, watering, wedding and rak-
ing away, while they smoked and
changed opinions as to their respec-
tive nurseries.
Crossing the gravel path, came
upon bed composed entirely Of
mignonette. Its fragrance was delight
full, and l paused moment to enjoy
the scent.
This little garden excited my curl
| \ ,,,k 1,
gardener. His face was thin aud
lined, with an expression OF settled
melancholy on it, but there was some.
thing in the large, dark eyes aud SEN
sitive mouth that took my fancy.
Here is an opportunity, Il thought.
HE looks a nice, approachable old
man, and 1 daresay would be glad to
have a chat"
At that moment, as il by some sud-
den transition of mind, be glanced up
and fixed his speaking orbs on me.
"What lovely mignonettel" 1 ex-
claimed, by way of opening fire.
He smiled, but it was such sad
smile, wished he hadn't--it some.
how made me feel sick and sorry.
'Let me cut you some, madam" he
said, gravely. al will in q moment,
il you can wait"
"Please, oh, / should like nothing
BETTER" answered, seating myself
J and looking contentedly, while my
new friend went to work with long
pair of rusty scissors.
His face interested me, strangely.
none the less when noticed that the
Victoria Cross adorned his breast.
How could 1 get him to talk?"
''May ask why you cultivate only
one hower?" 1 inquired with sudden
inspiration.
He looked at me again, in that in.
tense way of his, for at least a minute,
without speaking, then said ifrele.
vanity:
"You have q good, kind face, lady,
and"
He paused.
| 'Thank you for saying so," l re.
joined, somewhat tamely, feeling
bafed and wondering what was com
ing next
"You asked me just now why only
) grew one flower. I will tell you il
| you care to listen"
"Yes," replied, eagerly. ~ an
, all attention.
'Tt happened so long Ego, yet il
seems only like yesterday. Mignon
Mignon" he halfmurmured to him
self.
coughed softly, to remind him o
my presence.
"Lady, did you ever love anyone
very dearly?" he asked abruptly.
I "Have I?" 1 returned, soinewha,
q taken aback by this unexpected qnes
ton. "Well yes. have been fond o
several people 1 have met at differen
3 times Of my life," was my discreet
b rejoinder.
a "Those two we're the only ones
cared for in the world-Mignon ant
Ralph Stanley"
4 "Who was Mignon?" I queried
: gently. for the old mans face was full
< of emotion when he spoke her name
81 always callel her Mignou, an,
so did he," he continued, withou
. needing me; "the name suited her s,
n well. She was never without a sill
of this" touching the flowers in m
lap, ''in her belt or gown. She had
passion for mignonet'e, that is VIII,
we called her Mignon. aud she was a
i sweet as the flower itself, with he
v blue-bell eyes anl nut brown hair.
4 "Who was this other?" venture
to ask, after pause.
Again the veteran seemed to forge
my existence, as he sighed, and SAID
i musingly;
a ''To think that never guessed 4
and thev were such a bonny pair, too
She could not help loving him, til
y genial. handsome laddie--men an
n officers alike iu our regiment simpl
a sdored him."
''He served with you then9"