ADVENTURE ON OCRACOKE ISLAND; CHPATER 10: AFTER A CELEBRATION, A LETTER FOR DELIA ARRIVES FROM ENGLAND (TENTH OF 14 PARTS)

THE STORY SO FAR: Delia has started fishing with her Grandpa, and they are getting used to each other. One day, he surprises her by telling her the harrowing tale of the "Mirlo" rescue years before, when he was nearly killed. He tells her that she has lifesaving in her blood. He also tells her that lifesavers always go out after people in need -- but they don't always come back.

The next evening, Delia and Aunt Hetty sat in the kitchen shucking clams for supper. They were making clam chowder from the clams Delia and Grandpa had brought home from the Sound that afternoon. Delia liked wading in the cold water and raking the sand. Finding clams buried underneath was like finding a little treasure.

Suddenly Ben knocked at the back door and burst in. "Did you hear the news?" he said with excitement in his voice.

"What news?" replied Aunt Hetty. Her forehead was pinched up with alarm.

"Billy Haskell is OK!" Ben said. "His crew was picked up by another ship and they sent word to the Coast Guard today. Alex told me. I went over to the station, and it's true."

Aunt Hetty dropped the clam she was holding. Her face fell with relief. "Thank goodness," she said, letting out a big sigh.

Delia said, "Do his parents know?"

"Yep. They told 'em right away," Ben said. "Alex said Mrs. Haskell just broke down and cried. And ole Sidney grabbed her up and danced her around the kitchen."

"I'll go see them after supper," Aunt Hetty said.

"You should all go. They invited folks over tonight to celebrate," Ben said. "Mrs. Haskell said folks had given 'em so many cakes and things that they needed help eatin' 'em all." He opened the door and backed out. "Oh, and Sidney said, 'You tell Charlie I'm goin' to get out my fiddle." He grinned and left.

As the door banged shut, Aunt Hetty sighed again. "Well, that is a miracle," she said. "Somebody was watching over those boys."

Delia thought about how her mother had told her she would always watch over her. She said, "Aunt Hetty, do you think people go on living after they die?"

Aunt Hetty thought for a moment. "Yes, I do, in some cases. I think some people have eternal spirits. They keep on shining, like a lighthouse," she said. "Your mama was like that."

Delia whispered, "I think she's still with me."

Aunt Hetty stopped and stared at Delia's face. "She probably is," Aunt Hetty said quietly. "She loved you very much."

Delia was quiet.

Then Aunt Hetty said, "I know if I had a daughter like you, I would want to be with her always."

"Thank you," Delia said. "But I wish I were more like my mama. Sometimes I feel like I'm afraid of everything."

"That's not true," Aunt Hetty said. "Look at all the things you've done. A new home, a new school, new friends. Everything's different for you the food, the people, the village. And all on top of being a stranger here and after losing so much...." She stopped. Her eyes were soft.

"You're braver than you think, Delia. And what you feel is actually not that different from most people. Many people have things inside them, like fear or sadness, that they hide." She looked out the window. "Grandpa is like that. I remember when I was a girl, I thought he was indestructible, like a big old tree. But one night, not long after the Mirlo' rescue, I woke up and heard a noise downstairs. I went down to the kitchen, and there was Grandpa sitting at the table, crying his heart out. It scared me; I'd never seen him cry in my life. I thought he was sad because he'd been hurt so badly." She folded her hands on the table. "But he was crying for all the men he couldn't save."

Delia stared at Aunt Hetty. "He still feels bad about it," she said.

Aunt Hetty nodded. "I know. He always will," she said. "But he taught me that the biggest adventure in life is what happens in your heart."

After supper they all went over to the Haskells', and it seemed that the whole island was there. People were laughing and hugging and eating cake, and a group of men played music on fiddles and guitars. One man played a banjo.

Just as Delia's family was getting ready to go, Capt. Haskell handed Grandpa his fiddle.

"Play us a tune, Charlie, for old time's sake," he said with a wink.

Grandpa stared at the fiddle in his hands like it was an old friend he thought he'd never see again. Then, without a word, he sat down on a stool with the other musicians. He nestled the fiddle between his chin and shoulder, and began to play a slow, sweet version of "Amazing Grace." Delia thought it was the most beautiful song she had ever heard. Aunt Hetty whispered to Delia that he had always been a good fiddle player but had given it up long ago.

When he finished, everyone clapped, and he bowed to them. Then he handed the fiddle back to Capt. Haskell and they walked home.

In the darkness of Howard Street, he held out his hand to Delia, and she took it.

The next afternoon, after school, Delia walked to the post office as she did every day. The postmistress, Miss Margaret, stood on the steps, sweeping.

"Is the mail called over yet?" Delia asked. When the mail arrived, Miss Margaret always called out the names of the people who had gotten something.

Miss Margaret leaned her broom against the doorway. "Yes, dear, and there's something for you," she said. She went inside and brought out a letter.

Delia glanced at the London postmark. There was no return address. Her fingers trembled as she opened the wrinkled envelope.

"Dear Delia,

"I hope this finds you well. Are you adjusting to life on an island?

"I know that your aunt and grandfather are taking good care of you. And I know that you are being good. You must trust them when they tell you of certain dangers.

"I'm sorry I can't give you a place to write to me as you asked. I can only tell you that I love you and miss you very much. Be a brave soldier. I know your mama will always watch over you, and over me too, so let's make her proud.

"I don't know when I will see you next. It may be a long time.

"I hope --"

The letter ended abruptly. There was no signature.

Delia glanced at the envelope again. The address had been written by someone else's hand.

That was her first and last letter from her father.

NEXT WEEK: Chapter 11: Sailors at Rest.