Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-06-08

to cause any alarm. In tno bhHninS'
as he failed to appear at breakfast,
servant was dispatched to summon
Knocking at the door, and receiving
no answer, he finally open it, and ad
vanced into the room. What a sight
did he then behold! My poor father
lay upon his bed; with his throat cut
from ear to ear! Death must have
come to him suddenly-so suddenly as
TO prevent any outcry-and the un-.
known assassin had no tronble in max
ing his escape
But" | said, " can't see why any |
one should suspect Edgar of the mur-
der
ssThat is the most mysterious part
of the sad affair. This morning. when
Edgar was told of the murder, he
turned very pale; reeled, and would
have fallen to the ground bad not sup
port been given him. Some of the ig-
norant beholders of this scene thought
his actions denoted guilt, and an Off
Ger was summoned, who at once insist
ed on searching his room. 4 razor,
on which was several spots OF blood,
was found concealed under the carpet.
together with an old suit of clothes Ee-
longing to Edgar, which were bespat-
tered with blood. This VAS consider
ed sufficient evidence to warrant his
arrest, and he now lies in Jail, with the
awful crime of murder. Q Mr.. Fergu-
son! If you can do anything to save
him, and, at the same time, bring the
guilty perpetrator OF this deed to JUS
tice, / will amply reward YOU"
"Do you know of any enemies of
your father, or of Edgar, who would
| be likely to commit such crime,
either for robbery Or revenge " /
asked.
"Oh, SIR she replied, g it was not
done for robbery, as everything in the
room was as father left itthe night be-
fore. His watch and pocket-book, the
latter containing quite sum ofmoney,
were found under his pillow, where he
always placed them, so that the crime
t must have been committee to gritIfy
r a fiendish thirst Tor revenge.
). "Now, then, who Of all your ac-
Il quaiatances could do such a thing@
ei 81 cannot possibly say. Father
y had rot an enemy in the world, to my
3 knowledge, OF Edgar either, unless
If perhaps, it might be Conrdd Smithers,
It my fathers bookkeeper and trusty
e clerk hut it would be impossible tol
him to do such "a deed"
'e "What reason have you for sus
pecting that he is not Edgar's friend Y
nj "Only this some time ago, Conrad
y whom we have always regarded as ont
y y of the family, proposed for my hand
n and told him it was not mine to give
is Il suspected as much,' he mutteicd
rs And then, whilst his face grew darl
!; as night, and his features assumed an
Iy appearance perfectly fearful, ne con
1irred. But you shall never become
,a the wife of Edgar Morton whilst
IN have life to prevent it, He then wheel
as ed about, and abruptly left my pres
At enee. was considerably alarmed
is and thought of speaking tc fathe
~ about it; but, during the afternoon
I'd he returned, and begged my forgive
ness for the words he had used, ant
ar made such professions of sorrow in re
is gard to them, that / freely torgav
- him. and have since thonght no NOR
at OF the matter"
"The fact is quite clear to me-
I'D know this fellow well, and the sort
H. company he keeps, and ! should nc
D. be surprised to find that he committe
er the murder. Now, then, / want to sc
of the body of your father, and the rool
lie in which the deed was done.
"Well, sir,n she said, rising, an
n preparing to accompany me- you WI
IS find everything as it was when first dl
covered. The officer concluded not
Id, disturb anything until after the II
quest, which takes place to-morro
ed forenoon
ds. Wrapping myself up in my grea
to coat, we set out, and, after bri'
as walk of ten minutes, reached {
palatial residence of my companion.
rti- was at once shown to the room of &
berl murdered man. and then began ma