HAPPY REUNION MADE POSSIBLE BY INTERNET

A brother and sister who had been separated for more than 40 years recently were reunited through the magic of the Internet, some hard work and good luck.

Susan Nolan of Dexter, Mo., and Charlie Clark of Olympia, Wash., found each other through the efforts of Susan's husband, Denny, who set out in cyberspace to find his wife's brother.

Denny searched on the Net for Charlie Clarks and sent e-mails to each of them.

Charlie, who only recently got a computer, received one of the e-mails, the relationship was confirmed, and Charlie drove to Dexter to become reacquainted with his sister.

Susan was only 5 years old when Charlie, at 18, left in 1959 for military service and was stationed in France.

Their mother had died, and by the time Charlie got back to the State's, Susan's father (they had different fathers) had taken her to Ellington, Mo., to live. Charlie returned to Washington state after the service and didn't know where his sister had gone.

This story -- complete with happy ending -- illustrates how lives can actually be changed through instant communications provided by the Internet.