Mary E. Wilkins Freeman 
The Secret 

The Secret by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman is about Catherine, who is unexpectedly missing from her home at a quarter to eight when her whole family is expecting her. Suddenly, she bursts in with a surprise. Excerpt: ’Catherine Gould came hurrying into the house at half-past eight. John Greason, the man to whom she was engaged, sat in the south room with her mother and aunt Sarah. There were a light and a fire in the best parlor, but since Catherine was not at home when she arrived, John sat down with her mother and aunt.’