The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-09
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Plea For Justice.

~FUART waS not surprised to re-
 M ceiye notice from Bivens' law yers that they would demand
 sentence on Woodman within two days. The f1nancier was present with two great lawyers who smiling ly assured him that he need have no fear as to the result. Yet the little man was unsasy. He fdgeted in his seat and watched Stuart's calm, serious face with dread.
 Don't worry the senior counsel as sured him with confidence. 'The old judge is a terror to every criminal in New York.
 In spite of all assurance. Bivens' nervousness increased as the hour drew near for the case to be called. He 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 euch tricks better than man. He looked out the window anxiously and saw the flash of his big French limousine rounding the corner He hurried 90 the steps to meet his wife.
 Man. for heavens sake see Jim be. fore this ,-ase is called and find out what he's going to say to that judge.
 ''Y'N do my best I'll send my card In and ask him to see me at once.~
 Good. When he returns to the court Eoom wait and I'll come out"
 Bivens went back to his seat beside his lawyers and watched the court of fcer speak to Stuart.
 He frowned and heSita ted. rose and slowly followed the man.
 Nan seized his hand.
 'Oh, Jim, i'm so worried. Cal says you are going to make a desperate fight against him this morning"
 ''Fm going to make the usual plea for mercy for ,an old broken Inan-nly friend I'm going to fight for his life as I would for my own
 Please don't do or say anything to- day to cause a break. I couldn't en- dure it. You don't know how much your friendship means to me. Your visits are the brightest spots in my life. What are you going to say? Are you going to attack Cal? You don't have to do that, Jim. Promise me you won't for my sake.
 I'm going to do my level best for my old friend, Man, he answered with dogged determination. 'sYou needn't worry about your husband. He has the hide of a rhinoceros, and nothing can say will get under his skin.''
 eff 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.''
 I'm sorry I'm fighting for my old friends life He wouldn't live in a prison year And I'm lighting 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..
 He turned abruptly and left her. In a moment Bivens came out and led his wife to seat which had been re served near his.
 One of the things which had increas- ed Bivens nervousness was the fact that the judge ignored his presence in the courtroom. He had been accus- toned to difference from judges. This judge was 8 man with red blood i'll hls veins. man of intense personal likes and disIikes and q fearless dis penser of what he believed to be even handed justice under the law.
 The young lawyer sat in silence be- side the bowed form. awaiting his case which the judge. at his request. had placed last. As the moment drew near for the plea his nerve tension grew in tense Waves of passionate emotion swept his heart. He walked from his day dream with a start, to hear the clerk read in quick tones:
 ''Tbe people against Henry Wood man."
 The judge looked at the dazed pris- oner and said:
 -sWhat h.. vC voU fo s:y