The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-03-04

Mansen returned, and fingered on the
skirts of the grove, until the sound OF q
light. footstep on the beaten path which
led to the place announced the approach |
Of the loved being whom he felt he was
about to meet for the last time, The
poor girl could not speak a word when.
they met, but bowling her head upon his
shoulder, burst into food of passionate
tears. BY degrees she became more calm,
and then detailed to him a conversation
she had overheard between Burton and
her uncle and gathered thence that the 4
former had succeeded in convincing MIR.
Mason of Edwards guilt, by comblna-
ton of facts which would have made out
strong case against the accused-the
most formidable one being the finding OF
q large sum of specie in Mansells trunk.
Knowing that he could not satisfactorily
account for the possession of this money,
without the evidence of a near relative
who had departed for the continent a
week before, and whose address was I'M
known and return uncertain, Edward, to
avoid the horror and disgrace Of lying in
the county gaol in the intermediate time,
resolved on evading the officers of justice,
until he could surrender himself with the
proofs of his innocence in his hands.
The moon had now risen above the hill
which bound the prospect, and warned
the lovers that it was time to separate.
"And now, dearest" said he, CT
leave you with the brand Of thief upon
my fair name, to be hunted like beast
of prey from one hiding-place to an
other. But, oh, Kate, [ bear with me
the blest assurance that one being, and
that being the best loved of my heart,
knows me to be innocent and that
thought shall comfort me"
CA remarkably pretty speech, and
well delivered p exclaimed q voice which
caused the youthful pair to start and
turn their eyes in the direction whence it
proceeded, when from behind solitary
tree that grew in the Hollow, tall fig
ure, wrapped in an ample cloak, walked
toward them.
The place, as we have before said, had
an evil reputation and although Ed
ward and his companion were, of course,
free from the superstitious fears which
characterized the country people, an
undefinable feeling stole over them,
as they gazed on the tell form before
them.
Mansell, however, soon recovered him
self and told the stranger that, whoever
it was, it Ill became him to overhear con-
versation that was not intended for other
ears than their own.
"Nay," was the rejoinder be not
angry with me. Perhaps you may have
reason to rejoice in my presence-since,
being in possession of the story of your
grief, it might be in my power to allevi-
ate it. I have assisted men in much
greater straits.
Edward did not Like the last sentence,
nor the tone in which it was uttered but
he said, ct see not how you can help
me you cannot give me clue by which
I can find the boz
Yes here is a clue" replied the
other, as he held forth about three yards
Of strong cord. Here is line. Go
to the river, at point exactly opposite
the hollow oak wade out in a straight
line until you find the box attach
one end Of the cord to the box, and
the other to stout cork, but remove it
not yet.
The devil /" said Mansell.
Whether he really believed himself to
be in the presence of the evil one, or
that the word was merely expressive Of
surprise, we know not.
The stranger took the compliment, and
acknowledging it with a bow, said, "The
tin box which you have been accused
of stealing, is at the bottom of the river,
and you will find that I have spoken no
more than the truth"
Mansel hesitated no longer. but ac-
companied the stranger to the spot, and
in few minutes the box, sealed as when
he last saw it, was again in his possess
sion. He looked from the treasure to
the stranger, and at last said, /" / owe
you more than life, for. in regaining
this, | shall recover my good name,
which has been foully traduced."
lie was proceeding toward the shore,
when the other cried, "Stop, young
gentleman Not quite so fast. Just
fasten your cord to it, and replace it
where you found it, if you please" Ed
ward started, but the stranger continued,
Were you TO take that box back to
your employer, think you that you would
produce any other effect on him than
the conviction that, finding your de-
inquency discovered, you wished to
secure impJnity by restoring property?
We must not only restore the treasure,
but convict the thief Hush I hear
football"
AS he spoke be took the box from
Edward, who now saw his meaning,
fastened the cord to it, and it was again
lowered to the bottom of the river, and
the cork on the other end Of the cord
was swimming down with the tide.
CHOW follow me in silence" whis-
pered the stranger; and the three re-
tired, and hid themselves behind the
huge trunk of the tree, whence by the
light Of the moon they beheld figure
approach the water, looking cautiously
around.