New Britain herald., 1930-12-16
. SECRET RFtNION

\ SECRET REUNION Fanny took a night train for EN- ansZ71c. ahou- f wd,s from CrouzNbarre. and eonnrcrrd ly an 1ntaruruau troEIe<. SEr could no- ai- ford sleeper and did not rare - she could not ha.o slrpr antwaN. In. rha morning 4h. touud she just hal rilne for 4 bath and change before the carl> troil"E
 As sho piuuod her disguise, t5e black widow vou. about her hat sna laughed aloud. What a con- suirator she would mako - how Sheila would 4joy hearing about j.. ClurclmE 8 little jeweicr's box in her hand she salllad forth, aI- most ught-hoarredlE.
 As she fingered by the Johnsons' lilac hedge, pretending to smell the blossoms. she saW q block away small figure come alone out Of the Frosts' front -ata. Fanny barely had time to snatch of her widows veil and thrust it under a lilac bush, pull on her cream rolored 177ousquetajre gloves sho had car ried ln tissue paper 10 keep from sojhng,
 Fannys heart was beating 50 wildly she could hardly speak.
 "SheiIa," shs got out when tha child was within q few feet ot her - but gently 90 as not 10 friEhtan her - 'Shella. it's Mother. Don't you remember ne?7
 SheiIa stopped and regarded her gravely - sturdy broWn-faced little girl. with blmsh gray oEes set viIa apart. la plain ian Imam froek. The dar}n= tha darling,
 Shetl4 evidently nas wrestling with an agony ot ouoarrassHs .'Yes ..I ] think l do, she z4tl shylv a. last.
 ,.sheila. darling. Mo'her'z colnn all the way from Na@ York 70 se- you. I want 50 much to talk 10 vov. Will you walk 8 little way with ne?'
 I'll be lato 10 school"
 Just a little iat~ VIII 1t atcar uuch-just this once"
 "Im having A p4r., l's H35 birthday" said Sheila.
 "Cf course lt is, D. NOg think Mothers ey@r tor@oMer SsH. I"a brought you a present. FHaE@ hands tremblo3 70 -h dropped t'" Mile box. Sh.ua 1a-D,d F aD "". made no n1o>t . open i Tlc" -M-J been walking slowly toward tn. school. Fanny held hr ar-at" #- they naared tho corner A $. or, block distant nas tae small strip of parkway which stool ".lHo-H the river and Cloushharre.s h's' residence district Without word or glance. but without hes.t3tn- Sheila turned ali right angles to- ward the river aud led thr way 'e a bench half hidden hv an tnor- nous flooerins forsy,hja tn-ln
 "Why did you 20 4HaE'" eA- asked in d small voiaa.
 Fanny hastily g.lpod 4o"a th' lump in her throat.
 "DarIlng, Morhcr waa s-rt a'1T Or rather. such things were said fl her-cruel wicked lhings-,har sh' could not stay longer III your grand mothers house. Mother had dom something sine shouldn't - some thing that looked bad. but wasn i Mother hasn't time 10 explain now but when you are older and o3r understand better 1 promise 10 tol you all about Ii. You u#st not ho Heye that she orgr did mlthal dreadful
 "Wouldu't Daddy believe tou :'
 Your grandmother wouldn't. an. l never slH 7our tathar alone, | was always hard for Mother 10 fall before Grandmother. Shes q goo woman but so 50 different ina she never understood very we'll"
 "Daddys alone in his office; " could go and Sec him nov and teI him"
 Darling blossod child! You | believe Mothcr?'
 Why. yes." said Soajls. wonder ing. l. had never occurred to he 10 disbelicye.
 And you won't forget 10 como i see meas soon as yoa cAn-"he you're oldar:'
 shena promised not to forget.
 SomeH here across the river