Roxy Hastings — page 87: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

78 ROXY HASTINGS. ball, which told so terrible a tale for his friend. He stag- gered a few steps backward, and fell into a seat, utterly overcome, and nearly swooning. All eyes were turned sympathetically upon the man upon whom the dreadful lot had fallen, but whose tranquillity remained undisturbed, at least as far as outward signs could indicate. “T suppose it is scarcely necessary for you to draw, Mr. Lee,” said the officer who held the box, “as only one ball remains. But, perhaps, it is best to complete the cere- mony.” Alfred drew out the black marble symbol of the fate to which it doomed him, and after gazing at it an instant, tossed it across the room. “The raffle is over,” he said, smiling, “and our thanks are due to you, gentlemen, for the considerate manner in which you have performed an unpleasant duty.” The Confederate officers severally expressed a hope that Lee might escape the fate which impended over him (by the release of Lieutenant Gray), and they shook hands with him before they withdrew. They did not go, however, before informing Alfred that as soon as the news of the conviction and sentence of their own imperiled officer was received he would be placed in solitary confinement to await his end. This, they said, was-by no means intended as a penalty, but was only an additional safeguard against his escape. ‘What time will be allowed me for preparation for so great a change?” the young man asked. ‘‘Not to exceed twenty-four hours from the receipt of the news of Mr. Gray’s death.” “It is short notice,” he said, smiling, “and the end may be as soon as the day after to-morrow.” * Yes, it is not improbable.” CHAPTER XIV. LUKE AGAIN CONSULTED. Louis Hartley was scarcely guilty of pretense in return- ing again to his pallet before the withdrawal of the officers and the guard, so prostrated was he by the blow which had fallen upon him. His nature was affectionate and sym- _ pathetic in the extreme, and he felt Alfred’s peril as some- thing too horrible for endurance, Eomicbooks (ele)