The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-06-20

conversation which Lawrence could not
hear, and then both women stepped
down and passed through the gate into
the audience room. They were on the
way out of the court, but the young lady
paused a moment and looked nquiringly
back. Lawrence caught her eve and
bowed. She returned his salutation and
hurriedly whispered to her companion.
The latter raised pair of glasses, beau
tifully framed and handled in ebony, to
her eyes and scrutinized Drane keenly.
Then she shook her head decidedly and
passed out.
''Oh, yes go on" thought Lawrence,
"he's bad case, of course. Look at his
clothes and his villainous face!'
The young lady's face was grave with
disappointment, but just as the door was
closing on her she threw back at him a
smile which made the unhappy prison
er's heart bound.
'She's trying to tell me to be hope
full" he thought, ''and SO will, by
Jove!"
For full minute after that he felt
convinced that somehow all would go
well with him; but this uplifting of his
soul was transient. He soon relapsed
into dull, faint Indifference, paying no
attention whatever to the trial of cases
constantly going on before him. He did
not hear the crier call out twice:
Thomas JONES'" and he did not half
comprehend what was up when an Off
Ger seized him by the shoulder roughly,
saying:
''Here, come along! why don't you
stand up when you're called?"
In the little delay that thus ensued
another case was crowded before The
judge. Lawrence, standing at the bar,
tried to listen. He caught some words
about common vagabond, and ''stale
beer gang" but he could not understand
it all. Presently, however, the prisoner
on trial turned to him and Lawrence
recognized his recent acquaintance, the
ragam utfin.
''I've got ten days" he said, smiling
complacently. The fellow shuffled off,
and Lawrence looked up just in time to
catch the judges eye as the formal ques-
tion was put:
''Wtat is your name?"
Lawrence Drane," he responded
quickly, and then he thought-too late.
The judge scowled at document before
him and glanced inquiringly at the po-
liceman.
''That's my prisoner" said the latter,
she gave different name at the station
house."
'What do you mean," demanded the
judge, ''by giving one name at the sta
tion and another one here?'
"I-I didn't want to be known, your
honor" stammered Lawrence.
mo, | suppose not" snapped the
judge; ''well, what is il, Jones, or the
other name?"
Clones is right" replied Lawrence,
realizing gloomily that another hope
that he had cherished slightly, that of
convincing judge, had been shattered
by his blunders.
''You are charged" continued the
judge, with assault and attempt to rob.
What do you say to it?'
OF course Lawrence responded ''not
guilty" and then the Judge called for
the complainant. The well-dressed
young man was not present. There
upon his honor reprimanded the police
man for bringing up case without
witness and added:
SIN the absence of complainant, l
should discharge this man at once if he
had not tried to assume false name.
That attempt makes him a suspicious
character, Hold him un It'll three o'clock,
and see that your witness is here at that
hour"
The hours dragged along, the Judge
went to lunch, another session was be-
gun, and at last Thomas Jones' was
again called to the bar. The COM
piainant had not turned up, and the
judge said, irritably:
''You are discharged, Jones, but warn
you not to do any thing of this kind
again"
'But haven't done any thing wrong,
your honor" protested Lawrence.
you'll get into serious trouble right
here if you're not CAREFUL" cried the
judge.
Here, you, get out! Understand"
said court officer, pushing Lawrence
toward the gate. Lawrence did under
stand and with a feelinp Somewhat