The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-30
THE TIMES, NEW BLOOMFIELD Pa SEPTEMBER 80 1870

lleve, that the life or an innOcenb man
might be saved"
"I did; and firmly believe that Ned
Harrington Is innocent of the crime Of
murder"
"Ned Harrington |" Great heavensl"
gasped the detective.
The dectective was used TO great SUR
prlses and startling developments, but
all his self.control left him, and he sank
back In his chair, pale as a sheet, at the
mention of his friends name.
You know him =" said Mr.. Fergu-
son, In some surprise.
He is my friend. We graduated
from the same school, aud /, too, know
that he is innocent Such man as Ned
could not take the life of u fellow man."
81 am glad that you are his friend,
and we can work together" said Mr..
Ferguson, extending his hand, which the
detective grasped and shook warmly.
Now for the Details" resumed the
merchant. "The story is short, and the
facts seem to be very conclusive. One
evening Ned was coming across pasture
lot upon the other side of the villagean
found the body Of a murdered man.
The corpse lay directly across the foot
path which was used by those living
upon the other side, as o short cut across
the lots. He stopped over the body and
drew from It long clasp-knlfe. The
deed had not been committed long, for
the body was hardly cold, and as he drew
forth the knife stream Of blood fol-
lowed 1t. At this moment several men,
with Lawyer Grey at the head, came
upon him. They had been travelling in
that direction and had suddenly come
upon the terrible scene. The freshness
of the blood, which was hardly cold, the
finding of Ned standing over the body,
knife In hand, the confused manner In
which he answered their questions, all
seemed to point to him as the guilty one.
And when 1t was discovered that the
knife which had done the deed was
Ned's own, with his name upon the
handle, nothing seemed clearer than
that he was the murderer. Since his
imprisonment he has protested his inno-
cence, but of what avail When his
trial comes off he will be condemned
just as sure as the sun shines"
"His declaration is sufficient. would
believe Ned against the world"
The detective remained while longer,
and was introduced to the wife and two
daughters of his friend. He could not
help admiring Ned taste as he gazed
upon the fair face of Mabel Ferguson.
He smiled as he stood face to face
with the gentle Rose, This was the
maiden with whom Ned had predicted
that he would fall in love.
He did not think so, however, as he
gazed upon her thoughtful face and
looked into the clear depths of her blue
eyes.
Mr.. Ferguson had informed him that
Ned was engaged to his daughter Mabel
for Ned had not mentioned the name of
his betrothed bride in his letter, and but
for that he would never have suspected
that it was to the daughter of the mer-
chant that he was engaged
:" 1 must see Ned" said Bill, after he
had spent some time In the company of
the merchant and his family.
He had no difficulty in gaining access
to his friend.
"Bill ~ gasped Ned.
"Oh, Ned, as 1t thus find you p''
ooh, Bill, you don't believe me guilty
of this great crime, do you ?"
"No,m boy. Sooner would believe
that the sun ceased to rise. believe you
to be innocent"
"Thank you, Bill. But how did you
get here? mean how is it that you are
here at this critical juncture ?"
"Well, received your letter inviting
me down here. / did not get the setter
until to-day, at the same time received
a telegram from Mr.. Ferguson, or rather
the chief did, asking for a smart detec-
tive. was detailed to work up the case.
Little did think was to spend my
vacation in saving the life of my friend.
Owing to your letter having been writ
ten q week or two before the telegram,
1 knew nothing about the affair. Now
tell your story. Be particular and tell
me all"
Thereupon Ned related the facts which
are already known to the reader.
" Had Miss Ferguson any other suitors
besides yourself?" asked Bill.
"Why, yes."
"How did they take their defeat in