Year: 1859

bounded the prospect, and warned the lovers
that It was time to separate.


And now dearest" said he, AZ leave you
with the brand of thief upon my ia r name. to
be hunted like beast Of prey from one hiding
place to another. But oh, Kate bear with
rue the blest assurance that ore being, and that
being the best loved of my heart, knows me to
be innocent and the thought shall comfort
me-"


"A remarkably pretty speech, and well de-
iivered!" exclaimed voice, which caused the
youthful pair to sta t, and turn their eyes in
the direction whonce II proceeded, when, from
behind solitary tree that grew in the Hollow,
vt figure, wrapped in an ample cloak, walked
&howty towards them. The place, as we have
already mentioned, had an evil reputation, and
although Edward and his companion were, Of
course, free from the superstitious fears which
characterized the country, an undefnable feel
ing stole over them as they gazed on the tall
form before them.


Manscll. however, soon recovered himself,
and told the stranger that whoever he was, It
Ill became him to overhear conversation that
was not intended for other ears than their own.


May" was the rejoilder; "be not angry
with me perhaps you may have reason to re-
joice in my presence, since being in possession
Of the story of your grief it may be in my pow
er t. alleviate it. 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,
1 II see not how you can help me; you cannot
give me clue by which can find the box


"Yes, here is clue ~ replied the other, as he
held forth about three yards Of strong cord,
here is line; 60 to the river &C point ex-
actly opposite the old 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"
"Thc devil" said Mansell whether he real
ly believed himself to be in the presence Of the
Evil One or that the word was merely express
sive of surprise, we know not.


The stranger took the compliment, and &C.
knowledging it with q bow, said: "The tin box
Of which you have been accused Of stealing, is
at the bottom of the river and you will find
have spoken no more than the truth"
Mansell hesitated no longer, but accompanied
the stranger to the spot, and in few minutes
the box, sealed as when no last saw it. was
again in his possession. Ho looked from the
treasure to the stranger, and at last said 81
owe you more than life; for in regainng this,
| shall recover my good name, which has been
foully traduced."


He was proceeding towards the shore, when
the other cried


"Stop, young gentleman not quite so fast !;
IL
you found it, if you please" Edward started,
but the stranger continued: "Wcre you to
take that box back to your employer, think you
that you would produce any other conviction
on him than that finding your delinquency dis
coversd, you wished to secure impunity by re-
storing the property? We must not only re.
store the treasure but convict the thief Hush
hear football"


As he spoke he 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
line was swimming down with the tide.


Now follow me in silence" whispered the
stranger, and the three retired and hid them.
selves behind the huge trunk of tho tree,
whence by the light OF the moon they beheld
figure approaching the water, looking cautious
ly around him.


"That IS the thief" said the stranger, in a
low voice in Edwards ear. 81 saw him, last
night, throw something into the river, and
when he was gone, took the liberty of raising
it up; when, expecting that he would return
been unsuccessfuly watching the place Just be-
fore met you in the Hollow"


BY this time the man had reached the rivers
brink and after cropping for some time through
the water, he found the box, but started back |
in astoniShment on seeing long cork attached
to it. His back was turned to the witnesses of
the transaction, so that Edward and the stran-
ger had got him securely by the collar bcf re
he could make an attempt to escape. The sur
prise of Mansell and Kate may be more easily
conceived than painted, when as the moonbeams
fell on the face of the culprit they recognized
the features of Van Buren, his fellow clerk.


Our limits will not allow of our saying more
than Mansell's character was cleared; While
Van Buren, whom Mason, for reasons confined
to his own bosom, refrained from prosecuting,
quilted the town in merted disgrace. The
stranger proved to be gentleman oflarge land
ed property in the neighborhood, which he had
visited for the first time in many years, and
having been interested in the young pair whom
he had so opportuncly delivered from tribula-
ion, he subsequently appointed Mansell his man
of business, and thus laid the foundation of his
prosperity. It is almost needl IS to add, that
Kate, who had so long shared his heart, became
his wife and shared his good fortune.


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