The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-12-28

see. because we think so much of it.
she explained to the stranger as she
departed toward the attic.
Amelia led the way silently to the
dining room. The parlor was cold. Ell
mira had evidently reasoned that out,
and then. too. the dining room was
the best place to show china of course
But just what was the china =?
Thus she reasoned as she passed
from which descends flight of steps.
tered about the floor, she lights 1t and
proceeds TO descend. Round and round
we wind, ald there at the bottom, his
head bound in blood stained bandage
is Ponsonby, evidently very seriously
hurt, looking deathly pale. but now
peacefully sleeping
70 say that we were thunderstruck
would be to put it family. AS neither
Agden nor myself can speak Spanish
or Tagalog, we cannot ask the lady, for
a lady she evidently is, Judging by her
manner, her dress and jewels. She sat
on some pieces of wood, her face rest
ing on her hands. occasionally giving
vent to sob. How the weary hours
passed that night with Agden and my
self attending on our injured friend
could hardly tell. At length came the
dawn, and | went off In search of a
surgeon. after having assisted Agden
to get Ponsonby up the steps leading
from the crypt into the church. A
.a4ls
all speed with me to the church His
diagnosis was TO the effect that Pom
sonby must have discovered the stair
case by some accident, had fallen down
it in the darkness and injured his head.
1t was impossible to say how severe
such injury might be, and, although he
had every hope of rapid recovery, he
would not try to give us any false inn
pressions. An ambulance was soon on
the spot. our wounded friend placed in
side and we started for town, Agden
having kindly volunteered to do my
work in the field during my brief alb
sence. The journey to town was speed
lily accomplished. and | left Ponsonby
in the hands of the good sisters of the
San Juan de Dios hospital Meanwhile
had completely forgotten the senorita,
and it was not until | met Agden at
Malolos some three days after that
gave her a thought. Then | learned
that she had vanished as mysteriously
as she had appeared.
Meanwhile the campaign went on.
Weeks passed The insurgents were
day by day being driven back. Pom
sonby had got out of the hospital and
was recuperating in town. and as the
rainy season was In full swing and
nothing of Importance was taking
place in the country Agden and my
self were also resting" We were
one evening sitting on the hotel yeran-
da when PonSonby walked up. After
a few words of greeting he said
We'll, boys, I'm sorry to leave you,
but am off tomorrow. My wife joins
cutta and thence by p. and o. home"
Your wife" Agden and myself ex-
claimed simultaneously.
Yes, my wife,
but we didn't know you were mar
ried."
mo, don't suppose you did But
you remember the lady who found me
in the church at Malinto."
well, I'm hangedr' 1t was Agden
who spoke. was practically dunn
founded and stood staring at Ponson-
by with all my eyes. Then | man
aged to blurt out;
But how did she get into town.
Il really couldn't tell you. But she
came and saw me in the hospital.
How she ever found me in the church
| don't know and have not yet mus
tered up sufficient Spanish to inquire
We were sorry to lose Ponsonby.
who was always n decent fellow. But
Agden will have ii that his brain was
affected by the fall into that curious
crypt. And Agden is probably right,
for. if not, why didn't Ponsonby in.
vite us TO his wedding Hongkong
Telegraph.