The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-04-04
EVA, A MASoN'S CHILD.
CHAPTER I.

=
IS CHAPTER 1.
/ Faster and faster spread the flames
and now the ship was enyeloped in
! fiery sheet. Men and women rushed
nladiy over the side TO meet a auickel
but less painful death. The boats witt
one exception, had been overladen an6
capsized. There were hasty prayers
and heart-rending cries of misery anC
distress. Death lowered, vultnre like
over his victims ;. some supporting
themselves in the water by articles
snatched hastily from the burning
ship, and with which they had leaped
wildly into the sea. The captain sang
through his trumpet, "Take heart and
sustain yourself as long as possible. A
ship is coming to our relief.0
James Durant stood upon the almost
deserted deck with his only child, but
four years of age, folded closely in his
arms. His eyes swept the horizon in
search of the ship to which the Cap.
tain had alluded He discovered it al
last, but 1t was at least four miles off,
Before the ship could arrive, they
must be burned to death; or, if be
sprang, as the others had, down into
the water, both he and the child would
be drowned, for he was not swim
mer. a5fsa{
The little arms were twined about
bis neck, the pale cheek rested conf
dinghy against his own, but the brave
child did not tremblc.
SO my God, is there no help ?'cried
the despairing father, as the Games
swept nearer,and he felt that his pres
ent position could be held but little
longer.
"Here, give the child to me, and ]
will save her," and turning quickly,
Mr.. Durant stood face to face with a
stranger who had life preserver in
his hand.
"Quick there is no time to be lost !
The child caDhave my life preserver
and it will float her easily Yonder is
another ship; / have been watching it
for the last five minutes. It will reach
us in half an hour at the most. There
that is fastened securely. Now, little
girl, / am going 10 throw you into the
water. You are not afraid p
stNo, no but papa 2" a1a
The father5caught her frantieally in
his arms.
"My darling Eva, you may never
see your father again /; but do not feal
God will guard you, and somebody
will find you and take care of you. Il
you never see papa again, remember
he is in heaven with mamma"
Has she no relatives 2" asked the
stranger.
"None in this country; 1 am from
England, and am travelling for her
health KS
s.Take that pin from your bosom
and fasten it to her clothing"
b Heaven help you for the thought
said the father; and in moment the
square and compass was glistening on
the bosom of the child, and the strang.
er took her from her fathers arms
saying 81 am stronger than you; she
must be cast beyond the reach offhese
poor drowning wretches, or they viii
rob her of her life presarver.';' s
The white drapery f1uttered through
the air, and sank below the waves
then rising, it foated lightly on the
waters.
h James turned to the stranger with
fearful eyes. i'taifp sa,as q fa9ta
I'D "May God bless you and preserve
you noblest of men. But you, as well
as myself must be lost"
mo am a good swimmer and here
is Q piece of board with which you
can sustain yourself until relief ar
lrives."Q rs 1a Tz aasu sa h
n 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 fioated in
different directions, and they saw each
other no more. as!N 4slHt
l92 Two hours later, james Durant
swoke, as from the sleep of death, ,and
found himself in the cabin ofa strange
ship, with kind and sympathizing IA
ces all around him. In moment he
realized all that passed, and said, ea.
gerly, though feebly: "My child, little
Eva, is she safe ?" There was no re.
sponse, and low moan escaped the
fathers lips. p
Courage, SIR" said a lady with
fearful eyes, ..some of the passengers
were saved by another ship"
tc The fathers countenance lighted.
"Go cd grant that she may be safe"
Mr.. Durant recovered his usual
t'strength in few hours, and sought
among the saved for the stranger who
had proved himself so true Masonic
Brother, but he was not to be found.
."He must be on the other ship, said
Mr.. Durant, "and he will care fol
Eva nf aH
Both ships were at port the follow.
ing day, but although Mr.. Durant
found, the stranger who had befriend.
ed him, and who proved to be Mr.
Wadsworth, from a southern city, Eve
was seen by no one, and was given NJ
as lost.