Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-07-25
9E9E2E1E9g5D9D G G1DesSESS1g5es;
BOOK II-THE ROOT.
CHAPTER XXI.
A Plea For Justice.

notice from Bivens's lawyers that they
would demand sentence on Woodman
within two days.
The financier was present with two
great lawyers who smilingly assured
him that he need have no fear as to
the result. Yet the little man was un-
easy. He fidgeted in his seat and
watched Stuart's calm serious face
with dread.
Don't worry" the senior counsel
assured him with confidence. THE old
recorder is a terror to every criminal
in New York. Stuart's plea can only
be a formal request for mercy, which
he will not get"
In spite of all assurance, Bivenss
nervousness increased as the hour drew
near for the case to be called. lie
looked at his watch, fuming over the
fact that Nan was late. He wished her
to see Stuart and find out what he had
up his sleeve. A woman could do such
tricks better than a man. He looked
out the window, anxiously, and saw
the fash of his big French limousine
rounding the corner. He hurried to the
steps to meet his wife.
Nan, for heavens sake see Jim be-
fore this case is called and find out
what he's going to say to that judge.
I'll do my best. I'll send my card
in and ask him to see me at once"
Good. When he returns to the court
room wait, and I'll come out"
Bivens went back to his seat beside
his lawyers and watched the court Of
ficer speak TO Stuart.
He frowned and hesitated, rose and
slowly followed the man through the
door.
Nan seized his hand.
"Oh. Jim, I'm so worried. Cal says
YOU are going to make a desperate
fight against him this morning in this
disgusting affair. Is it SOP"
I'm going to make the usual plea
for mercy for an old broken NANNY
friend"
But will 1t be the usual plea?"
I'm not going to mince words. I'm
going to fight for his life as / would
for my own"
The woman drew close, so close he
could feel her breath on his cheek as
she whispered, earnestly:
Please, don't do or say anything
today to cause a break. 1 couldn't
endure it. You don't know how much
your friendship means to me-"
You can never lose that again
Man." he answered, simply.
But l must see you. Your visits
are the brightest spots in my life. A
break with him now would plunge me
into abject misery. What are you go
ing to say? Are you going to attack
Cal? You don't have to do that, Jim!
Promise me you won't, for my sake, II
you care nothing for the brilliant fu-
ture that is just opening before you.
You do care something for me In spite
of all the wrong have done you in
the past"
The young lawyer remained silent
Promise me-" she pleaded tenderly,
a tear stealing into her dark eyes.
I'm going to do my level best for
my old friend, Man," he answered with
dogged determination. You needn't
worry about your husband. He has
the hide of a rhinocerous and nothing
can say will get under his skim"
But that's just the trouble, Jim, 1t
will. If any other man said it, no; but
from you it will cut deeper than you
can realize. You are the one man who
can hurt him beyond forgiveness, be-
cause you're the one man on earth for
whom he really cares"
1T will be all right, Nan. Men know
how to give and take hard knocks and
still be friends. We challenged each
other to this duel when there was no
other way"
II never saw him so bent on any
one thing in my life. His hatred OF
Woodman is a mania"
I'm sorry-Tm fighting for my old
friends life. He wouldn't live in a
prison a year. And I'm fighting for
the life of his little girl who loves and
believes in him as she believes in the
goodness of God. If her father Is
branded a felon, it will kill her"
Nan tried to speak again and her
voice failed. At last she said.
Well I'm going to sit where / car
look straight into your face and II
you say or do one thing that will de-
stroy our friendship or ruin your fu-
ture / shall scream-I know it,"
Stuart smiled and pressed her hand
You've too much good sense and
self-control for that. I'll risk it. Now
| must hurry. Our case will be called
in a few minutes"
He turned abruptly and left her.
In a moment Bivens came out and
led his wife to a seat which had beer
reserved near his.
One Of the things which had in
creased Bivens's nervousness was the
fact that the judge ignored his pres
ence in the court room. He had beer
accustomed to Difference from judges
Here was new thing under the sun
a Judge in an insignificant city court
who coolly sat on the bench before
him for an hour, sentencing criminals
Evidently the man didn't know him
It was amazing, this ignorance of tbs
average New Yorker
The truth, of course, was the old
fashioned recorder had not been train
I'd as a corporation lawyer. He hat
fought his own way up in politics from
the ranks of the common people. III
was a man with red blood in his Veln'
a man of intense personal likes aht
dislkes and a fearless dispenser
what he believed to be even-handet
Justice under the law.
Stuart had based his plan OF battle
suuare!y on his knowledge of thi!
Judges character.
AS Bivens listened to the sharp rint
of his voice prOnOuncing sentence OF
evil-doers and saw the officer snaI