Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-02-25
SAVED BY A HAIR.


TO the fire as slipped my tea and re-
galcd myself with the news of the To-
cal paper. As the storm and slcet rat
tied furiously against the window, and
pedestrians hurried by, anxious to
reach place OF shelter, felt thankful
that was not obliged to leave my
comfortable home for the night.
whats thisP" | said. as my eve
lighted on startling paragraph
Mysterious murder. Mr.. John
Randolph, one OF our old and wealthy
citizens. was this morning found dead
ia his room. having been murdered
during the night by some unknown
person. Edgar Morton. a clerk in his
employ, and who, reports say, 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 10 hear of criminal news, from
the nature Of my business, this was
the first intimation had received that
such a murder had been done. This
seemed very strange. as / was on the
very uest ot terms with Mr. Randolph
snd 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. Il will stake my life on that
young mans innocence.
As spoke there came gentle tap
at the door. followed almost immcdi-
ately by the entrance of lady deeply
yelled. who ut once threw aside her
veil, disclosing 10 me the features Of
my deceased friends daughter, Cecilia
Randolph.
Excuse me, Mr.. Ferguson. for en-
tering uninviied, but urgent business
must be my only excuse"
"Be seated. Miss Randolph, said,
rising and handing her chair.
"Oh, Mr.. Fergusou!' she sobbed
-faStl l.s.ssipG hes-f -fsss;e in, her hands,
10 you on such an errand rs this!"
l endeavored TO quiet her, and par
italy succeeded, when ! drew from
her what facts she knew regarding her
fathers death.
He retired last night at the usual
hour, apparently in good spirits, aud
no sound was heard during the night
TO cause any alarm. IN the morning.
as he failed TO appear Mt breakfast a
servant was dispatched TO summon
him. Knocking at the door and re-
ceiying no answer he finally opened it
and advanced into the room. What a
sight did he then behold! My 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 outcry-and the un-
known assassin had no trouble in max
ing his escape"
But" / said, IL can't see why one
should suspect Edgar of the murder y
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 TO the groand had not sup
port been given him. Some OF the ig-
norant beholders OF this scene thought
his action denoted guilt. and an officer
was summoned. who at once insisted
on searching his room. A razor, on
which were several spots of blood, was
found concealed under the carpet, to-
gether with an old snit of clothes be-
longing to Edgar, which was bespat-
tered with blood. This was considered
sufficient evidence to warrant his al
rest, and he now lies in Jail. charged
with the awful crime of murder. oh.
Mr.. Ferguson, il you can do anything
TO save him, and at the same time
bring the guilty perpctrator 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 10 commit such crime,
either for robbery or reyenge?"
asked.
'"0h," she replied, cit was not done
for robbery, as everything in the room
was as my father left it the night be-
fore. His watch and pocketbook. the
latter containing good sum of money,
were found under his pillow, who're
he always placed them: SO that The
criAe must have been committed TO
crafty some iiendish thirst for re-
venge.a
"Now, then, who OF all your ac-
quaintances could do such a thing?'
Il cannot possibly say. My father
had moi al, S...c:..yin the world. to my
knowledge, or Edgar either --upless.
perhaps, IL might be Conrad Smithers,
NV fathers bookkeener and head
c,urx. pur II would be Impossible for
him to do such adeed.'
@What reason have You for suspect
ine that he Is not Edgar's friend?'
.Only this: Some time ago Conrad,
whom we have always regarded as
one Of the family, proposed for. my
hand, aud told him 1t was nor mine
to give. j, -. :, ,,,,,,...s
Then. while bis face grew dark ms
night and his features assumed an APP
pearapcc perfectly fearful. he contin-
ued: But yau shall never become
the wife Of Edgar Morton while have
life TO preventit.'
sHe thcn turned and abruptly left
me. was much alarmed and thought
OF spcakiug 10 my father about II, but
during the afternoon he returned and
begged my forgiveness for. the words
he had used, and made such profes-
sions Of sorrow in regard to them That
1 freely forgayc him, aud have since
thought no more Of the matter"
.Thc fact is quite clear 10 me-" J
said. Il know this fellow well aud
tl.o sort OF company he keeps. and Y
shall not bc surprised 10 find that ho
committed the murder. Now. then, !
want 10 see the body OF your fatter
and the room in which the deed Was
done