Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-01-02
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Plea For Justice.

i0o UoT O0oStS0s
~TUART was not surprised to re-
- ceive notice from Bivens' law.
~ yers that they would demand
sentence on Woodman within
two days. The f%tnancier was present
with two great lawyers who smiling.
Fly assured him that he need have nc
fear as to the result. Yet the little
man was uneasy. 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 neal for the case to be called. HI
looked at his watch, Tuning over the
fact that Nan was late. He wished hel
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
flash Of his big French Limousine
rounding the corner. He hurried to
the steps to meet his wife.
man, for heavens sake see Jim be.
fore this case is called and find out
what he's going to say to that judge"
"Tn do my best. I'll send my card
dn 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
deer speak to Stuart.
He frowned and hesitated, rose and
slowly followed the man.
Nan seized his hand.
ooh, Jim, I'm so worried. Cal says
you are going to make a desperate fight
against him this morning"
I'm going to make the usual plea
for mercy for an old broken NANNY
friend. Pm 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. l couldn't en-
dure it. You don't know how much
your friendship neal 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
logged determination. You needn't
worry about your husband. He has
the hide Of q rhinocerOs. and nothing
I can say will get under bis skin"
eff any other man said 1t, 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 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"
He turned abruptly and left her. In
a moment Bivens came out and led
his wife to a 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 a man with red blood in
his veins, a nan Of intense personal
likes and dislikes and a 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 q start, to hear the
clerk read In quick tones: