Save short essays dons always returned (8)
I believe the answer is:
retrieve
'save' is the definition.
(save can mean to retrieve or collect)
'short essays dons always returned' is the wordplay.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'essays' becomes 'tries' (essay can mean to try or attempt something).
'dons' means one lot of letters goes inside another (don means to wear or put on).
'always' becomes 'ever' (synonyms).
'returned' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'ever' reversed gives 'reve'.
'tries' with its last letter taken off is 'trie'.
'trie' inserted inside 'reve' is 'RETRIEVE'.
(Other definitions for retrieve that I've seen before include "Recover" , "Rescue" , "Search for and discover" , "Regain or fetch" , "Revere it to get back" .)