The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1872-06-27
CHAPTER Ill.

The six years that followed the
death of his wife and the loss of his
child passed wearily to James Du-
rant.
He visited nearly every country in
the Old World, seeking among scenes
of natural beauty and grandeur as
well as of historic interest, for the
mental rest which could never be
found.
Once more he turned his steps to-
ward America, and sought his Mason
ic friend Wadsworth. Finding that
gentleman about setting out with his
family for the Atlantic coast, Mr.. Du-
rant accepted the invitation to accom-
pany them to Saratoga and Niagara,
then to New York, where, leaving
the ladies, MIR. Wadsworth and Mr..
DuTant wandered from town to town
along the coast, enjoying tae beauty
OF the scenery and the quiet hOspitali-
ty that greeted them more pleasantly
than the crowded hotels and the fash
iOnable styles of the watering-places.
Fancy, and the kind hand of PrOvi-
dence, at length led them to the little
town of B, and the second even
ing after their arrival they visited the
Masonic Lodge. A warm welcome
was extended to these Brethren from
such distant homes, and both were in
vited to address the Lodge. Mr.. Du-
rant said:
Brethren: I have travelled much
and long. I have found Masonic
sympathy in every part of the globe,
and everywhere is Masonry substan-
TALLY the same. / can hardly tell
where 1 reside. The world seems to
be my home, as remain but a short
time in any town or country, but my
name is recorded in an English Lodge.
I love my English Brethren, for they
first brought me from darkness to
light, and I love English soil, for in
it sleeps the wife of my youth. But /
love American soil, also, for here have
found the Warmest of welcomes, the
kindest of brethren. And, too, my
own child is sleeping in American
waters, even beneath the very waves
that wash the shores of your beauti-
full village. Six years have passed
since this dear friend and brother rob-
bed himself Ofhis life-preserver that
my little Eva might perhaps escape,
and we hoped the elements might be
kind, and that Heaven would send
her relief, but she was never heard of
more"
The voice of Mr.. Durant was quiv-
ering with emotion, and unable to
speak further, he seated himself, and
covered his face with his hands.
Chances of surprise and pleasure
were cast from one to another among
the brethren OfHiram Lodge. No one
spoke, however, but all eyes were
turned upon the master, Mr.. Turner.
For a 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; tell her /
am going to bring a strange gentle
man who wishes to see her."
And, calling the Junior Deacon, Mr..
Turner gave him the note, saying in a
low voice: Take this note to Mrs.
Turner Immediately"
"Why, Eva" said Mrs. Turner,
when she had read the message, "you
are going TO have company. A strange
gentleman is at the lOdge-rOom who
wishes to see yOu."
"WhO can it be?'
Eva looked perpleXed and thought
full. Suddenly her cheeks flushed, her
eyes lighted, and clapping her little
hands, she sprang to her feet, and ex-
claimed:
"Oh, it must be papa! No one else
would wish to see me; no one in the
world" and before Mrs. Turner COM
Drehended the childis INTERPRETATION,
she had passed the theshold and was
fitting through the moonlight toward
the Lodge Room. The Tiler looked
amazed when Eva burst into the ante
room, her cheeks burning, her eyes
flashing with joy and excitement.
"Do not stop Lne F; am going in ~
she exclaimed. But the inner dOol
was fastened, and the impatient Eva
nearly cried with VeXatiOn.
"Wait moment" said the Tiler,
who, having heard nothing of what
had transpired within, was at a loss
to account for the strange conduct 81
the child; "wait a moment, and j
will send your request to Mr.. Turner
be will come out and see you"
II shall not wait! I do not want tC
see Mr.. Turner. I want to see my
papa"
i'The child is crazy, that is evident, ,
said the perplexed Tiler to- himself
but calling out the Deacon, he bade
him say that Eva was there and had