The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-05-30
SAVED BY A HAIR.

1t was a dark and stormy night
without, and | drew my chair closer
to the fire as | slipped my tea and
RECALLED myself with the news of the
local paper AS the storm and sleet
rattled furiously against the window
and pedestrians hurried by anxious
to reach a place of shelter, felt
thankful that | was not obliged TO
leave my comfortable home for the
night.
What's this? | said, as my eye
alighted on startling paragraph.
Mysterious murder Mr.. John
Randolph, one of our old and
wealthy citizens, was this morning
found dead in his room, having been
murdered during the night by some
unknown person. Edgar Morton. a
clerk in his employ, and who, report
says, was soon to be married TO his
daughter, has been arrested for the
murder, and circumstances are said
to be strongly against him.
Now, although am usually
among the first to hear of criminal
news, from the nature of my bust
ness, this was the first intimation |
had received that such a murder had
been done. This seemedvery strange,
as | was on the very best of terms
with Mr.. Randolph and his whole
family.
And SO this is the way that Edgar
Morton repays the benefactor of his
youth and soon to be father Yet,
no, | cried, l will stake my lite on
that young mans innocence
As | spoke there came a gentle
tap at the door, followed almost i'm
mediately by the entrance of a lady
deeply veiled, who at once threw
aside her veil, disclosing to me the
features of my deceased friends
daughter, Cecil Randolph
Excuse me, Mr. Ferguson, for
entering uninvited, but urgent bust
ness must be my only excuse.
Be seated, Miss Randolph. said,
rising and handing her a chair.
Oh. Mr.. Ferguson 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
endeavored to quiet her, and
partially succeeded, when | drew
from her what few facts she knew
regarding her fathers death.
He retired last night at the usual
hour apparently in good spirits, and
no sound was heard during the night
to cause any alarm. In the morning,
as he failed to appear at breakfast, a
servant was dispatched to summon
him. Knocking at the door and re-
ceiving no answer, he finally opened
it and advanced into the room. What
a sight did he then behold NY 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 out
cry-and the unknown assassin had
no trouble in making his escape.
But, | said, can't see why any
one should suspect Edgar of the
murder.
That is the most mysterious part
of the sad affair. This morning,
when Edgar was told of the murder,
he turned very pale, and would have
fallen to the ground had not support
been given him. Some OF the
ignorant beholders Of this scene
thought his actions denoted guilt,
and an officer was summoned, who
at once insisted on searching his
room. A razer, on which was several
spots of blood, was found concealed
under the carpet, together with an
old suit of clothes belonging to Ed
gar, which was bespattered with
blood. This was considered sufi
cient evidence to warrant his arrest,
and he now lies in Jail charged with
the awful crime of murder Oh, Mr..
Ferguson, if you can do anything to
save him, and at the same time
bring the guilty perpetrator OF the
deed to justice, will amply reward
you
Do you know of any enemies of
your father, or of Edgar, who would
be likely to commit such a crime,
either for robbery or revenge? |
asked.
Oh, she replied, it was not done
for robbery, as everything in the
room was as my father left it the
night before. His watch and pocket
book, the latter containing good
sum of money, were tornd under
his pillow, where he always placed
them; so that the or me must have
been committed to crafty flendish
thirst tor revenge.
Now, then, who of all your ac-
quaintances could do such thing?
cannot possibly say. My father
II. i 4