The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-11-08


ting here and there, and everywhere
meeting the warmcst Of Welcomes.
The Masonic Hall was but lev reds
from Mr.. Turner's residence, and Eva
often won't with him AS far as the
door, and then returned alone, always
bidding tho Tiicr. "tak, good care Of
Pa Turner and send him home early. ,
CHAPTER III.
The six years that followed the
doath Of his wife and the loss Of his
child, passed wearily to James Du
rant. Ilc visited nearly every cuun-
try in tho Ola World, seeking auong
scenes of beauty aud grandeur az we'll
rs historic interest for the mental
rest that could nevor be found. Ouce
more he turned his steps towards
America and sought his Mas mic
friend, Mr.. Wadsworth. Finding
that gentlemen about setting out
with his firmly on q journey to the
Atlantic coast, Mr.. Durant accepted
the invitation to accompany them
to Saratoga, and Niagara, then to
New York, where, leaving the ladies
Mr.. Wordsworth and Mr.. Durapt
wandered from town to town along
the coast, etjoying tho beauty of
the scenery aid the quiet hospitaIi y
that greeted them, more than crowd
ed hotels and the fashionable styles
of the popular watering places. Fan
cy and the kind hand # Providence
at length led them to the little town
Of B, and the second evening af.
ter their arrival they visited the Ma
sonic lodge. n warm welcome was
extended to these Brethren from snch
distant homes, and both were invited
to address the Lodge. Mr.. Durant said
"Brethren | have travelled much
and long. have found Masonic
sympathy i'll every part OF the globe,
and everywhere is masonry substan-
TALLY the same. can hardly tell
where [ reside. The world seems to be
my home, as ,,renlain but short time
IN any town or conntry, but my name
is'ecorded in an English Lodge.
love my English brc hren, for they
first brought me from "da: knes. to
light" and | love EAglish soil, for
wi,ri" it sleeps the wife of my youth.
But | love American soil also for here
have found ne warmcat welcomes,
the kiud">t Of hi cthrcn. Aud, too,
my own Child is sleeping in American
water, even beneath the very waves
that wash he shores of your beauti-
fGl village"
"Six years have passed since this
dear friend and brother robbed him
self of his life.preserver that my lit
tie Eva might perhaps escape, aud
we hoped the ei.ments might tc kind
and that Heaven would scnd her re.
lief; but she was never heard of
mure.'
The voice of Mr.. Dlrant was culver
ing with emotion, and unable to speak
further, he seated himself.
Chances of surprise and pleasure
were cast from one to another among
the brethren of Hiram Lodge. No
one spoke, however, hut all eyes
turned upon the Master. Mr.. Turner.
For moment he seemed rejecting
then taking slip of paper from the
Secretary, he wrote
"Mrs. Turner-Do not allow Eva
to retire until return home. Lam
going to bring strange gentleman
who wishes to sec her" Aud calling
the Junior Deacon gave him the note,
saying in low voice, "Take this to
Mrs. Turner imm ediately."
"Why, Eva," said Mrs Turner,
when she had read the message, "you
arc to have company. a gentleman
at the lodge-room wishes to see you"
"Who can it be"
Eva looked porplcxcd and thought
full /; suddenly her checks flushed,
her eyes frightened and clapping her
littlo hands, she sprang to her feet
and exclaimed "Oh, it must be
papa ! no one else would wish to SEQ
me; no ono in the world )" and before
Mrs. Turner comprehcnded the child's
Interpretation, she had passed the
threshold, and was fitting through tho
moonlight toward the lodge room.
The Tller looked amazed when Eva
burst into tue ante room, her che cks
burning. her eyes f,shiug with joy
and excitement. "Do not stop me
| am going in !" she exclaimed. But
the inner door was fastened, and the
impatient Eva cried with vexation.
"Wait a moment" said the Tyler,
who having heard nothing of what had
transpired within, was at loss to
account for the strange conduct Of the
child "wait & moment and I will
sena your request to Mr.. Turner"
81 shall not wait do not want to
soc MIR. Turner; | wont to SEQ my
papa"
"The child is crazy, that is evi.
dent," said the perplcxed Tilcr to
himself but calling ont the deacon
he bade him say that Eva was thcro
and determined to get into tho lodge
ronm