ot
come, send me a note, even though it be but a line, that I may have some
precious token of remembrance to gaze upon. I am but a short distance from
your home, and a few steps will bring you to me; if you come, place
yourself under the guidance of my friend. Leaving you to act as prudence
and your own heart shall dictate, I remain, impatiently,

"Yours, most faithfully,

"CHARLES."

"P.S. Do permit me to entreat you to come if you can. I have a thousand
things to tell you, and some of them are cheering. I have not time to write
more now."

As we have said, Eveline read this letter with the wildest emotions
thrilling through her heart. A tumult of joy was in her bosom--joy more
exquisite than had gladdened her spirit since the hour when her young heart
knew that its deep love was reciprocated. Hadley was near her--he had been
falsely accused, and instead of the vile criminal he was represented, he
was a loving and dutiful son, fleeing to the bedside of a sick mother! What
a consolation to her heart! Without a moment's hesitation, she resolved to
see him, and turning to the gentleman, from whom she averted her face,
while reading, to conceal her feelings, she said, deeply blushing as she
did so:

"Mr. Hadley wishes me to see him, and directs me to place myself under your
guidance. Will you be so kind as to show me the way to him?"

"With the greatest pleasure; for I know he will be but too happy to behold
you. Pardon me, if, in my zeal for my friend, I should say aught that may
be out of place."

He led the way into the deeper recesses of the forest, and she followed
him. All this had been done in a moment, as it were, and without time for
the slightest consideration. Under other circumstances, or with a little
reflection, Eveline might have acted differently.

The two had proceeded a quarter of a mile or more, when Eveline, in passing
a large tree, was suddenly seized by rude hands, and ere she had time to
scream, a covering was placed over her mouth, and her hands secured. In
these operations her recent guide took an active part, and when they were
completed, he said:

"You shall not be injured by us, fair lady, and we only regret that we are
compelled, by the force of circumstances, to put you to the inconvenience
of a journey on so short a notice. You must go with us; but we will deal
tenderly with you so long as you are peaceable and quiet; but you must
beware how you attempt to make any noise; for w