Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-04-11
Saved By a Hair.

ming paper. L n0tlceu something WHICH
interested me at once. What's this !"
l said, as my eye algbted on a startling
paragraph:
MYSTERIOUS MURDER.-J. Ran
dolph, one of our old and wealthy citi'
zens, was this morning found dead il
his rooms, having been murdered dur
ing the night. Edgar Morton, a clerI
in bis employ, and who, report says
was soon 10 be married to bis daughter
has been arrested for the murder, ant
circumstances are said 10 be strongly
against him."
Now, although am usually among
the first 10 hear Of criminal news, iron
the nature of my business, this was th'
first intimation l had received that such
a murder had been committed, haYlng
been out of town during the day. A
l bad been on the best terms with Mr'
Randolph aud his whole family, it oc
CURED TO me at once that my advice
would be sought.
And so this is the way that Edgal
Morgan repays his benefactor and th(
father Of bis af1ianced bride F! Yet no! j
cannot be, will stake my life on thai
young mans innocence
AS Ispoke there came gentle tai
at the door, followed almost immediate
ly by the entrance of lady, deeply
yelled, who at once threw aside heI
veil, disclosing the face of my deceas'
ed friends daughter, Cecile Randolph.
Excuse me, Mr.. Ferguson, for enter
ing uninvuod; but urgent business inn
pels me-
BE seated Miss Randolph 1 said
rising. and handing her a chair.
%, Mr.. Ferguson y she sobbed forth
burying her face in her hands. That
l should ever be,obliged to come to you
on such an errand as this y
l endeavoreG to quiet her. and partly
succeeded, when drew from her what
particulars she knew regarding bel
fathers death.
He retired last night at his usua
hour, apparently in good Spirits anc
no sound was heard during the night tc
cause any alarm. In the morning a;
be failed TO appear at breakfast, SER
want was dispatched 10 summon him.
Knocking at the door, and receiving no
answer, be finally opened il and advan(
ed into the room. Whata sight then
did he behold! Ny poor father lay upor
his bed, with his throat cut from ear
Death must baye come TO him sudden
ly-so suddenly as 10 prevent an out
cry-and the unknown assassin had nc
trouble in making bis escape
But said, Il can't see why any
one should suspect Edgar Of the MUIR
DER
This IS the most mysterious part OF
The sad affair. When Edgar was told
OF the murder, he turned very pale reel
ed, and would have failed to the ground
had not support been given him. Some
of the ignorant beholders OF this scene
thought bis actions denoted guilt, and
an officer was summoned, who at once
insisted on searching bis room. a ra'
zor. on which were several spots oi
blood. was found concealed uuder the
carpet, together with sn old suit ol
clothes belonging 10 Edgar, which was
spotted with blood. This was consider
ed sufficient evidence to warrant bis
arrest. and he now lies 10 jail, charged
with The awful crime of murder. Oh,
Mr.. Ferguson! If you can do anything
to save him and at tie same time bring
the guilty perpetrator of this deed to
Justice, l will amply reward YOU
30 YOU know any enemies OF your
father, or Ct Edgar, who would be like
ly to commit such crime either fol
money or reveuge?' asked.
oh, SIR she replied, is was not
done fot robbery. as everything in the
room was as father left it the night be-
fore. HIS watch and pocket-book, the
latter containing quite sum of money
were found under his pillow, where he
always placed them, so that the crime
must have been committed to crafty
iendish thirst for revenge
Now, then, who Of all your acquaint
ances could do such a thing?'
Il cannot possibly say. Father had
not an enemy in the world 10 my
knowledge, or Edgar either. unless per-
haps, it might be Conrad Smithley, my
poor fathers book.keeper and trust,
slerk; but it would be impossible for him
to do such deed
what reason have you to suspect
that he is not Edgar's friend p
Only this Some time ago Conard,
whom We have always regarded as one
OF the family, proposed for my hand
and Itold him it was not mlne TO give,
Il suspected as much he muttered'
and then, whilst his face grew dark and
his features assumed an appearance
perfectly fearful, he continued, but
YOU shall never become the wife Of Ed,
gar Morton while / have life to prevent
it, He then wheeled about and alb
ruptly left my presence. l was consid-
.Ior~,a1 ond fhanoht of snpa klnO