The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-05-25
SAVED BY A HAIR.

L
self with the news of the local paper.
As the storm and sleet ratified furiously
against the window and pedestrians hur
ried by anxious to reach place of shell
ter, 1 felt thankful that was not obliged
to leave my comfortable home for the
might.
'What's this?' said, as my eye alight
Cd on a startling paragraph.
Mysterious murderi Mr.. John Ran
dolph, one of our old and wealthy citi
zens, was this morning found dead in his
room, having been murdered during the
night by some unknown person. Edgar
Morton 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 business, this was the
first intimation had received that such
q murder had been done. This seemed
very strange, as l 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, II will stake my life on that
young mans innocence"
As spoke there came gentle tap at
the door, followed almost Immediately
by the entrance of a lady deeply veiled,
who at once threw aside her veil, disclos-
ing to me the features of my deceased
friends daughter, Cecil Randolph.
Excuse me. Mr.. Ferguson, for enter
ing unlimited, but urgent business must
be my only excuse"
-Be seated, Miss Randolph" l said.
rising and handing her a chair.
-tOh, Mr.. Fergusonr' she sobbed forth,
burying her face in her hands, .'that
should ever be obliged to come to you on
such an errand as thisr.
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, servant
was dispatched to summon him. Knock
ing at the door and receiving no answer.
he finally opened it and advanced into
the room. What a sight did he then
beholdl Ny poor father lay upon his
bed, with his throat cut from ear to earl
Death must have come to him suddenly
$50 suddenly as to prevent any outcry
,,--and the unknown assassin had no
: tronble l. ;ng his escape"
But. II can't see why any
one shoui.. .,.lspect Edgar of the muir
DER
-"That 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
% the ground had not support been
given him. Some of the ignorant be-
Holders. of this scene thought his actions
denoted guilt, and an officer was sum
Inoned, who at once insisted on search
ing his room. A razor, on which was
several spots of blood, was found con-
cealed under the carpet, together with
, an old suit of clothes belonging to Ed
gar, which was bespattered with blood.
This was considered sufficient evidence
to warrant his arrest, and he now lies in
Jail charged with the awful crime oi
murder. Oh, Mr.. Ferguson, if you car
do anything to save him, and at the
same time bring the guilty perpetratol
OF the deed to justice. / will amply
reward you"
'4Do you know of any enemies of you
father, or of Edgar. who would be likely
to commit such a crime, either for rob
berry or revenge?" asked.
"Oh," she replied, ''it was not done fol
robbery, as everything in the room wa.
as my father left it the night before
His watch and pocketbook. the Latter
containing a good sum of money, were
found under his pillow, where he always
placed them; SO that the crime mus
have been committed to crafty fiend
ish thirst for revenge
-'Now, then, who of all your acquaint
ances could do such a thing?'
81 cannot possibly say. Ny father hai
not an enemy in the world, to my knowl
edge, or Edgar either-unless, perhaps
it might be Conrad Smithers, my father.
bookkeeper and head clerk. But it would
be impossible for him to do such deed.
"What reason have you for suspectine
that he is not Edgar's friendr'
'tOnly this: Some time ago Conrad
whom we have always regarded as one
of the family, proposed for my hand
and told him it was not mine to give
i suspected as much,' he muttered
And then, while his face grew dark a.
night and his features assumed an ap
pearance perfectly fearful, he continued
But you shall never become the wifi
of Edgar Morton while / have lift
to prevent it. He them turned ant
abruptly left my presence. was mucl
alarmed and thought of speaking to IN,
father about it, but during the after
noon he returned and begged my forgive
ness for the words he had used, and mad
such professions of sorrow in regard t.
them that freely forgave him, and hav
since thought no more of the matter"
ssTha fact is nnite clear to me- % [ said