A fine old romance, and more

A fine old romance

Mystery author Cynthia Riggs has swapped tales of intrigue for a real-life romance. Riggs, 81, received a package of letters written in code last year. She recognized them as cryptograms written to her 60 years earlier by Howard Attebery, an admirer she’d known while working at a marine laboratory in the 1950s but had not seen since. Attebery’s package included a new message, which translated to “I have never stopped loving you.” Riggs soon reunited with Attebery, 90—and last weekend, the pair were married. “Oh man, life is just amazing,” said Riggs. “Don’t give up hope.”

New York's new libraries

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One of the world’s smallest lending libraries has been unveiled in New York City, a tiny yellow depository for book-loving Manhattanites to take a quick break from city life. The library is little more than a round, yellow plastic tank atop four wooden legs. Passersby can simply duck under and browse from 40 books on its circular inner shelf. The library can barely fit two people at a time, and will be open to residents and visitors to the city until September. The outdoor installation is one of 5,000 “Little Free Libraries” in the U.S. and abroad.

Paralyzed student regains ability to walk

When Manny Rios was paralyzed from the chest down after a bicycle accident four years ago, his doctors feared he would never walk again. But the determined high school student told his family he would regain his ability to walk in time for his graduation ceremony from Sultana High School in Hesperia, Calif. This week, to applause and chants of “Manny! Manny!” from his fellow students, Rios walked across the stage to collect his high school diploma on his own two feet. “He really is my superhero,” said his sister Mirna Hennicke.