The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-11-08
Eva or the Mason's Daughter.
CHAPTER I.

and nov the ship was cnvcloped in a
fiery sheet. NJ en- and women rushed
madly over the side to see quicker
but less painful death. Tho boats,
with ono exception, had been over
loaded and capsized. There were
hasty prayers, and heart.rending cries
Of misery and distress. Death how
cred, vulture like, over his victims ;
some cluns desperately to the vessels
side, some supporting themselves in
the water by articles saatched hastil y
from the burning ship, and with
which they had leuped wildly into The
sea. The Captain sang through lis
trumpet, "take heart, and sustain
yourself as long as possible. A ship
is coming to our relief
James Durant stood upon the al.
most deserted deck, with his ouly
child, but four years Of age, folded
closely in his urms. His eyes swept
the horizon in search Of the ship
TO which tho Captain hal allu-
ded. He discover I'd it at length, but it
was at least four miles eff. Before
the ship could arrive, they must be
burned to death or, if he sprang as
others did down iuto the water,
both he and the child would be
drowned, f,r he was hot swimmer.
The little arms were twiucd about
his neck, the pale check rer,ed con-
tiding)y ag.inat his own, but the brave
child did not trcmble.
go, my God, is there no Il. lp 2"
cried the dcSpairi'g father, - ,h"
flames swept nearer, and he felt that
his present POSITION could be hrlti 6ut
littlc lo"gcr.
''fl rr, give the chili to me, and
will saw: he,," and tuning quickly
Mr.. Dnr lnt stopd face t. face with 4
stranger VIII" held il life prescrver in
his h"n.
"Quick there is no time to be lost.
The child Can have my live p,oserver,
aud it will floit he's easily. Yonder
is another hip | have been watching
1t tor tho la, five riinHtcs Ii will
reach IL, IN h,lf al nou, It th,. noS,
There, Is ,hat f,s'n"eL scrnl..v q!
Now, ii;t'c gil, go g IN: t. ,t:.v
you INTO thH "&,rr Yor "G~ i,..
afr id p
emo, no; hut N, papa :"
lhe father c:ntht ner 'ran!irni,y il
hiss arna.
"My darling Eva. yen may nr?er
see yrur father aga,n hnt do not
fe"r God will guard you, and some
oody will find you and care for yen.
II you never sec papa again, rcmepI..
Der he is in heaven with mama"
elias she no relatives 2" asked the
stranger.
"None in this country I am
from England and am travelling, for
her health"
"Takc that pin from your bosom
and fasten it to her clothing"
"Heaven help you for the thought"
said the father and in moment the
square and COMPASS was glistening
in the bosom Of the child and the
stranger took her from her fathers
arms, saying 81 am stronger than
you; she must be cast beyond the
reach of these poor drowned wretches
or they will rob her of her life preser.
ver." q
The white drapery Autterod through
the air, and sank below the waves :
then rising it aoated lightly upon the
waters.
James turned to the stranger with
fearful eyes ''''
"May God bless and preserve YOU
noblest of men. But you and m yself
must be lost"
"No l am a good swimmer, and
here is piece of board with which
you can sustain yourself till relief ar
rivea.
The father cast another glance at
the white speck floating rapidly away
and with an inward "God preserve
her !"sprang into tho Sea followed by
the stranger but the two 2oated in
ditferernt directions and they saw
each other no moro.
Two hours later James Durant
awoke, as from the sleep of dea tn ,
and found himself in the cabin of a
8 range, ship, with kind and sympa
thlzing faces all around him. In a
moment he realized all that had pass.
ed, and said eagerly, though feebly,
"My child, my little Eva, is she,
safe 7"
There was no response, and low
moan escaped the fathers lips.
Courage, sir" said lady with
fearful eyes, "some passengers were
saved by another ship"
The fathers countenance lighted
Good grant that she may be saved 70
Mr.. Durant recovered his usual
strength in a few hours, and sought
among tho saved for tho stranger who
had proven himself so true q Masonic
brother, but he was not be found.
"He must be on the other ship"