WOMAN’S SOLUTION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20480, 5 December 1934, Page 4

WOMAN’S SOLUTION.

Mystery of Two Dead Children. TRAIN SMASH ECHO. (Special to the “Star.”) LONDON, November 2. The winner of the £lO prize offered by the “ Daily Express ” for the best solution of the mystery of the unidentified children killed in the Charfield railway disaster of 1928 has been won by Mrs Mary Medlen, Raeburn Avenue, Dartford, Kent. Ex-Superintendent Savage, of Scotland Y’ard, who has judged the thousands of entries received, said yesterday: “The theory for which I have awarded the £lO prize most nearly coincides with the opinion which I myself have always held with regard to the identity of the children. Here is the winning letter: Oh, why, why, why all these foolish theories and solution—isn’t my heart nearly breaking? There is only one car that draws up to that lonely graveside—mine. There is only one woman visits there —it is I. They were my children—and now 1 shall never hope to forget. How can I? At eighteen I fell in love with a married man and we had two children —God forgive us. We managed to keep our secret for a while as he was well blessed with this world’s goods, and could well afford to keep us in comfort. Unfortunately, after a time, he suffered financial losses and I was faced with the necessity of going back to office work. My precious babies were placed in the kindly care of my devoted old nurse, and I started work in a town far distant where my past was unknown. As often as I possibly could I went to see them and take them things.

You see I didn’t want them to forget their mother—l loved them so. Then one eagerly awaited and longed for day came. * I had managed to get a few days leave and had arranged to have my children to myself for the whole time —such a thing had never happened before. Shall I ever forget the happiness? “You Know the Rest.” All too soon their stay came to an end. I had arranged to put them on the train and have them met at the other end. I watched them off, then boarded the train which was to carry me to the obscure town where I was then living. Y T ou know the rest! When I heard of the disaster, I hastened to the scene to find my children’s foster-mother awaiting me. She hartily drew me aside, and, using all her persuasive powers, urged me not to claim them. Although nearly frantic with grie/f, I eventually yielded to her suggestions, realising that publicity of thirs sort would completely ruin an)- hopes I might have for a secure future. She promised me she would stay and watch until she had seen my babijes buried. My heart was broken—but the secret of my past lay buried with my children.