Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-12-28
Eva, or tie Mason's Daughter.
HAPTER l

Nl al LIN l.
Faster anefasterspread the flames
and now thefhip was enveloped in a
fiery sheet. Men ard women rushed
madly over th side to seek q quicker
but less painill death. The boats,
with one exception, had been over
loaded and epsized. There were
hasty prayers, tnd heart-rending cries
of misery andldistress. Death how
cred, vulture Ike, over his victims
some clung desB Brately to the vessels
side, some sup3rting themselves in
the water by articles snatched hastily
from the burning ship. and with
which they had lfped wildly into the
sea. The Captain sang through his
trumpet, "ts.ke leart, and sustain
yourself as long az possible. A ship
is coming to our relief
James Durant stood npon the al
most deserted deck, with his only
CHILD, but four Yeas Of age folded
closely i'll his arms.H His eyes swept
the horizon in search Of the ship to
which the Captain had alluded: He
discovered it at length, but it was at
least four miles off. Before the ship
could arrive, they must be burned. to
death; or, if he sprang as others
lid down into the water, both he and
the child would be drowned for he
was not swimmer.
The little arms were twined about
his neck, thepale cheek rested con-
idingy against his own, but the
brave child did not tremble
,'Oh, my God, is there no help?"
cried tie despairing father, as the
flames swept nearer, and he felt that
his present position could be held but
a listle longer.
taEere, give the child to me, and
Twill Save her. and turning quickly
Mr.. Durant stood face to face With a
STRANGER 'l mo heft -pfssert yer in
his land.
"Quick there is no time to be
lost. The child can have my life
prcserver, and it will float her easily.
Yonder is another ship have been
watching it for tie last Eve minutes.
1t Will re;oil us in half an hour at the
most. There, is that fastened secure
~? Now, little girl, am going to
throw you into the water. You are
not afraid y
No, no; but my papa y
The father caught her trantically
in his arms.
My darling Eva. you may never
see your father again; but do not
lesl-God will guard YOU, and some
body will find you and care for you.
If you never see papa again, re-
member he is in heaven with NAM
ma.
Has she no relatives p asked
the stranger.
None in this country; I am from
England and am travelling for her
health y
Take tins pin from my bosom
and fasten it to her clothing
:" Hea"en help you for the thought, >
said the father; and in a moment the
square and compass was glistenlng in
the bosom of the child and the stran-
ger took her from her fathers arms,
saying: (" am stronger than you ;
she lnust be cast beyond the reach Of
these poor drowned wretches, or they
will rob her OF her life preserver.
The white drapery tluttered through
the air, and sank below the waves !;
then rising it Aoatcd lightly upon the
waters.
James turned to the stranger with
fearful eyes:
4" May God bless and preserve you
noble.t OF men. But you and myself
must be lost
(" No; am a good swimmer, and
here is piece Of board with winch
you can sustain yourself TIL relief
arrives.
The father cast another glance at
the white speck floating rapidly away
and, with an inward "God preserve
her sprang into the sea followed
by the stranger; but the two floated
in different directions and they saw
each other no more.
Two hours later James Durant
awoke, as from the sleep Of death,
and found himself in the cabin OF
a strange ship, with kind and sym
pathizing faces all around him. In
u moment he realized all that mad
passed, and said eagerly, though fee
bly,, MY child, my little Eva, is she
safe p
There was no response, and low
moan escaped the fathers lips.
:" Courage, sir" said a'lady with
fearful eyes, some passengers were
saved by another ship"
The fathers countenance lighted,
I" God grant that she may be saved T.
Mr.. Durant recovered his usual
strength in "a few hours, and sought
among the saved for the stranger who
had proven himself SO true q Mason
ic brother, but he was not to be
found
:" He must be on the other ship,
said Mr.. Durant, "and he will care
for Eva
Both ships were at port in New
York the following day, but although
Mr.. Durant found the stranger who
befriended him, and who proved to
be a Mr.. Wadsworth, from a South
crn city, Eva had been seen by no
one, and was given up as lest.