The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-03-31
SAVED BY A HAIR.

AuO hh bippou my tut anu lcbuiuu NY
self with the news Of the local paper.
As the storm and sleet ratified furiously
against the window and pedestrians nshur-
ried by anxious to reach n place Of shell
ter, / felt thankful that was not obliged
to leave my comfortable home for the
night.
whats this2' Isaid, ms my eye alight-
cd on startling paragraph.
mysterious murderl Mr.. John Ran
dolph, one Of our old and wealthy citi-
zens, was this morning found dead in his
room, haying'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 business, this was the
first intimation had received that such
murder had been done. This seemed
very 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 fatherl 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" said,
rising and handing her chair.
"0h, Mr.. Ferguson" she sobbed forth,
burying her face in her hands, "that !
should ever be obliged to come to you on
such an errand MS this!
endeavored toquiet 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, us 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 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
80 suddenly as to prevent any outcry
--and the unknown assassin had no
trouble in making his escape"
"But," ] said, Il can't see why any
one should suspect Edgar Of the muir
der"
"That is the most mysterious part Of
the sad affair. This morning, when
Edgar wastold Of the murder, he turned
very pale, reeled, and would have fallen
to 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-
moned, 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 despatched with blood.
This was considered sufficient 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
came time bring the guilty perpetratol
Of the deed to justice, will amply
reward you"
"Do you know Of any enemies Of youi
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 foi
robbery, as everything in the room wa
as my father left it the night before
Ills watch and pocketbook, the lattel
containing a good sum Of money wer'
found under his pillow, where he Away
placed them; 80 that the crime mus
have been committed to gratify fiend
ish thirst for revenge"
"Now, then, who Of all your acquaint
ances could do such u thingT
81 cannot possibly say. My father hat
not an enemy in the world, to my lncwl
edge, or Edgar either-unless, perhaps
itmight be Conrad Smithers, my father
bookkeeper and head clerk. BUTT woult
be impossible for him to do such deed.
"What reason have you for suspectini
that he is not Edgar's friend"
"only this: Some time ago Conrad
whom we have always regarded as on
Of the family, proposed for my hand
and I told him it was not mine to give
4 suspected as much he muttered
And then. while his face grew dark q