Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-05
| MYSTERY OF THE WOODS

called Alden Sinclair from the foot of the stairs. He waited a moment, and hearing no response went out quickly.
 Jessie, his wife sat in her room with a frown upon her flushed face.
 T don't care!" she. exclaimed; he might have come up and kissed me good bye"
 The management" of Alden that she had planned, some way did not seem to be as satisfactory as she had anticipated.
 The quarrel had been brief. She had had the last word and then run up stairs. She was not yet ready to admit that she had been at fault; but already nothing seemed to matter ex- cept that Alden had left her without his usual goodbye kiss. They had the seven years they had been mar ried.
 But I must not stay sitting here I hear JeSsica calling and there is much to do to put the house in ord CT and prepare something Alden likes for dinner
 She was in the midst of her prepa- rations when the telephone rang.
 Yes, this is Mrs. Sinclair. Oh! is it you Alden? What is that? The boys are starting on their hunting trip at once and you are going from the off1ce-bUt your rifle. Oh. yes, l remember. you left it at Ned's last Saturday. I don't understand why they go today when tomorrow was the day set.
 Yes, 1 nderstand,-Arthur has to return to the city Saturday, so you go a day earlier and return on Fri day, but Alder"
 Iii rtrifh a nasty goodbye, the receiver clicks and he is gone.
 "Gone!" exclairns Jessie, and we parted in angerl Oh, what if any thing happens to him! The days will seem like years. My heart is break ing" and she sank into chair and buried her face in her hands.
 It was thus her friend. Dora May nard found her a half hour later.
 Y thought I'd run over a few min- utes,' she said as she opened the door. Why, Jessie dear, what has happened?" she questioned. as her friend lifted tearstained face.
 Alden has gone hunting and I'm so afraid something will happen to him."
 Didn't he go with Ned and Arthur as he planned?"
 'eYes,'' admitted Jessie.
 Then why fret? They, are both steady and careful. You know they will not run any risks"
 "Oh, the boys are all right. I know, don't know why l should feel so, only Alden and I quarreled before he left, and when he said goodbye I was horrid and didn't answer and-now he has gone!"
 Come home with me, then you won't feel so lonely. I'll call Jessica, she is playing in the yard"
 So Jessie and little three-year- Jessica stayed with Dora until Fri day morning. feeling of depression, but had no time to dwell upon it. After her return home there was much to do, so her mind was occupied with preparations for dinner and the selection of one of her dresses that Alden liked.
 The door bell rang. She was sur prised to see her old family physician. Come in, pr. Rogers, l haven't seen you for long time"
 q cannot stay. I have sad news for you, Jessie; there has been an ac- cident.''
 ''AIden!" she whispered
 Yes, but you must be brave. There is little Jessica, to think of"
 Yes" she said mechanically. How did it happen? Tell me all"
 ''Sit down and I'll tell you what I've heard. They were in the vicinity of his boyhood home and he left the camp to visit his birthplace, but must have tripped over a root and fell, his rifle
 Where is he nOw?'
 They are bringing him home. Keep up good courage and remember that even this sorrow shall pass away"
 Jessie made the necessary prepara- tions for the sad homecoming with dry eyes
 T do not feel as if I could ever cry again. My tears are all burned up,'' she thought.
 T can't make it seem real" she sober poor Alden looks.
 Yes, I think that is because the face is in repose.'
 "On. dear it all seems like a dread full dream"
 It was late afternoon of the same day that a young man came swinging down the street Whistling cherrily.
 As he. neared the Sinclair house hs gave a start of dismay
 What can have happened?" he exclaimed.
 He rushed up the steps and un- locked the door with trembling fling CTS.
 In tn \halI little Jessica stared at him with frightened eyes.
 Daddy! Oh. Daddy!" she cried as he folded her close.
 Your mother?" he inquired hoarse- y.
 "In the parlor with Dora"
 Just then Jessie and Dora came through the door. At sight of him Jessie passed her hand over her eyes md would have fallen had he not caught her.
 What does it mean? he asked.
 'I don't know" said Dora, we all thought you were killed. He, nodding Ter head toward the parlor, looks so much like you. Who can it be?"
 Alden and Jessie entered the room where the still form lay
 Why, it is Elden. my twin brother whom we have mourned dead for ten ears! Poor Elden, you came home | o die and we shall never know the | tory"
 Then his arm stole around Jessie as le said:- This has been a sad experience | ut we shall find some lesson in it."
 Indeed we shall,' said Jessie.- Boston Record.
 Echo From Hobson.
 Prof Ta cows l