The Van Buren press., 1872-04-16
cuArrER n.

~
Let us have some warm Aannels immedi
ately, and tell Thomas to run for Dr
Hunt. f t.o, ..
twas long before the quivering lash
es and feeble fluttering Of the heart gay,
token that success would crown the Ell
forts Of Eva's rescuers; but by.and b,
the lids parted, and revealed two large
blue eyes, that wandered from face te
face in bewildered way. and then clos
ed wearily.
81 fear she will not recover very rap
idly, said the doctor. "She has del
icate constitution, and will require th'
best of care. :"
Poor child, I" said Mira. Turucr. 81
do not wonder she is nearly dead; bu
who cnn she be? Some terrible acci
lent must have occurred at sea. y
"You had better examine her cloth
ing" said the doctor. Perhaps yoi
may find some clue to her relations.
Mrs. Turner lifted the gossaner whit
dress and turned it over aud oyer. Th'
square and compass placed there by Mr
Dufunt flashed upon the eyes of All q
once.
The doctor and Mr. Turner looked a
each other, but neither spoke, and Mrs
Turner did not notice the tearthat glIs
tened in her husbands eye.
The doctors fears that Eva would no
recover rapidly, proved to be well found
ed !; days and weeks OF fever succeeded
in awakening her to life. during whici
she talked incoherently of "papa, Zane
" poor mamma, and Of the burning
ship and of huDgar "f.Hla ha n
She finally awoke to consciousness
and asked many questions as to where
she was and how she came in the dart
room, and who were those who attended
her, but DIR. Hunt forbade her being
questioned until she was stronger. gg
How interested were all in the little
whom the elsments had
cast in the little seaboard town.
The ladies' declared that never before
did child possess such lovely eyes al
such beautiful curls, while tbs gentlemen
seemed no less interested, and brought
her gifts of everything that might please
her childish fancy. aa
MY dear little girl" said DR.. HINT
when Eva was at length able to ride out
. will You tell me your name r
Eva" said the child. 81 thought
You knew it. "
"Yes, ! know your name is Eva
but | want to know the rest OF youl
fathers name. 3 Fl
Eva Durant. Mr.. Durant is my pa
pa. +" 5as..o# a8V4a
II want you TO tell me all you can eI
your father and mother. /"
Eva's eyes filed with tears.
"Oh, sir, my mamma died and went
10 live with the angels. And ! don't
know where papa is. He said III never
saw him again must know he had gone
to mamma ssr
"Where were You when he told you
this ?" asked the doctor.
ION the ship; aud oh, the fire burned
me so; and papa held me in his arms un-
iii strange man took me and tied some
thing under my arms and threw me into
the water, aud l have not seen papa
since. Oh, sir, eau you tell mo where he
IS z"
"No, dear child; but perhaps we may
vet find him. A"
And this was all that Eva'snew friend
could discover. 1t was plain that she
had come from the ship which had been
burned few weeks before; that she had
been cast upon the sea, and tloated to the
shore. But where was her father? Rad
he been saved, and was he searching for
lis child?
Every possible effort was now made to
ind him. The circumstances ofthc case
With the statement Of the child, were fully
published in tho NEWSPAPERS OF the
1eiehboring cities. but the grief stricken
'ather, believing his child to be lost, sail
I'd week before for Europe. and IT soon
became settled In the minds of Eva's
that he had perished.
But the little one still prattlcd about
,er papa, and said he would come by.
md by. Those who believed differently
would not pain her by cont addiction.
The square and compass that had been
'ound upon her clothing was regarded as
powerful appeal from a Mason to his
brethren to care for his child.
SO it came to pass that Eva became, az
i were, the special charge OF Hiram
Lodge. No, %.
Mr.. Turner would gladly have taken
he entire care Of the little waif. and the
wealthy Senator w - requested to be
allowed to adopt her Ms his daughter,
but the Brethren in Lodge assembled,
declared by a vote that Eva should be
educated and protected by the
Lodge, and that as Providence had
placed her in Brother Turner's house,
hat should be her homo.
And 50 years went by, and Eva be-
came a healthy, joyous child, fitting
ierc and there. and everywhere meeting
he warmest Of welcomes.
The Masonic Hall was but a few rods
rom Mr.. Turner'S residence, and Eva
vent with him as far as the door, and
hen returned alone, always telling the
TYLER stake good care of Pa Turner,
md send him home early"
. CHAPTER III
The six years that followed the death