The Natural Selection. Ona Russell

      “Mitchell, you’re the limit. If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you’ve been reading Jane Austen, or one of those romance novels you claim to hate.”

      “Well, I mean it,” he said, blowing a loose strand of hair out of her face.

      She felt herself flush. “Go on, the jury was selected and then what?”

      He grinned mischievously and cleared his throat. “Each side stated its case to Judge Raulston, who, by all accounts, is firmly in Bryan’s court . . . no pun intended. Darrow argued that the Butler Act was illegal because it promoted a certain religious viewpoint. Bryan countered that the issue was about S tate’s rights. Darrow pleaded for tolerance and enlightenment, Bryan for the Bible-believing majority. The literal interpretation of the Bible, that is. Tomorrow Raulston decides whether the case goes forward. No doubt he’ll rule in the prosecution’s favor. Bryan certainly had the crowd’s support. Every time he spoke, they applauded, so much so that Darrow finally had to ask the judge to shut them up.”