The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-02-08
CHAPTER III.

CHATTER Ill .Etar
The six years that followed the death
Of his wife SSand the loss of his darling
child passed YEARLY to James Durnnt.
He visited nearly every country in the
Old World, seeking amonS scenes of
natural beauty and grandeur as well "a
of historic interest for the ineutal rest
which could never be found, Ouce
more he turned his steps towards Arneri.
ca, aud sout hit his Masonic friend Wads
worth. Finding that gentlemen alb ,ut
setting out with his family OH journey
to the Atlantic const, Mr. Durant nc
ccpted the Invitation to accompany them
to Saratoga aud niagara, then, to New
York, whore leaving the ladies, Dir.
Wadsworth and MIR. Duraut wandered
from town to town along the coast, en-
joyins the beauty of the scenery and tho
quiet hospitality that greeted thom more
than the crowded hotels aud fashionable
svoIu ."r watering piaces Fancy
and the kind hand Of Provi lence 1t
length led them TO tho little town of
B, and the second evening after
their arrival they visited the Masonic
l.odg.. A warm Welcome wcs extended
to these brethren from such distant
homes, and both we're invited to address
the Lodge. Mr.. Durant said
Brethren, | have travelled much anl
long. ! have found Masonic sympathy
i'll every yart Of the globe, aud every
where is Masonry substantially the same
| can hardly tell where l reside. The
world seems to be my home, rs remain
but short time in any town or country,
but my English brethren, for they first
brought me from darkness to light and
| love Englis.. soil, for with it sleeps
the wife of my youth But | love
American soil, also, for here have found
the warmest Of welcomes, the kindcst Of
brethren. And here, too, my own child
is sleeping in american waters, seven
beneath the very waves that wash the
shores of your beautiful village
Six years have passed since this dear
friend and brother robbed himself Of his
lilc-preservcr that my little Eva Nigh,
perhaps escape, and We hoped that the
elements might be kind, and that heaven
would send her relief, but she was never
heard of more
The voice % Mr.. Durant was culver
ing 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
brothers of Hiram Lodge No one
spoke, however, but all eyes turned upon
| the Master, Mr.. Turner For moment
he seemed rejecting, then taking slip
of paper from the Secretary, he wrote
Mrs Turncr-do not allow Eva to
retire until return home tell her am
going to bring a strange gentleman who
wishes to see her. And calling the
Junior Deacon, Mr.. Turner gave him
tho note, saying in low voice, Take
this note to Mrs. Turner Immediately
Why, Eva said Mrs Turner, when
sic had read the message, you are Ding
to have company. A strange gentleman
is at the lodge who wishes to sec you
Who can it be 2
Eva looked perplcxcd and thoughtful.
Suddenly her cheek flushed, her eyes
lighted, aud clipping her hands, she
sprang to her feet and exclaimed, 'Ch,
it must be papa! no one else would wish
to see me, no one in the world aud be-
fore Mrs. Turner comprehended the
child's Interpretation, she had passed the
threshold aud was fitting through the
moonlight toward the lodge room, her
cheeks burning aud her eyes flashing
with JOY aud excitement.