Washington telegraph., 1926-07-02
SHOWDOWN
AND LOVE
WINS
90, 1926. Western Newspaper Union.
INO 600 SENIOR. 1t is again
that dark woman who once
~ more comes into your life.
By HOMER B. KING

For a moment the girl sat rigid.
the color ebbng from her cheeks.
Slowly her great dark eyes lifted in
a flashing glance that sent his blood
racing.
'Francisca Love" he passionate
ly whispered, leaning across the table.
Gently she loosened his clasp.
"No No those are words-beauti-
ful words what you call-hatterings,
that SenOr Dimes speaks to Francisco.
1t must not be that | listen" He
laughed softly and started to rise.
mo! No! No, you must notp she
whispered, her eyes big with terror.
mo, no, please. Senor, don't rise.
See, we play again the fortune game.
Francisco will once more tell"
Dimes glanced about the small
adobe-walled ROOM
I'VE are alone, Francisco, and 1
love you! l am"
No! Nor she gasped, glancing to-
ward an opening leading to a patio.
Listen !"
From the garden came the low thrum
of guitar.
Please, senor, please sit-we-"
Again terror filled her eyes and he
glimpsed a shadow passing the gar
den opening. Now" the girl laughed,
nervously riflling a deck of cards, 1--WE
play the game-no? Just you and me
the Senor Jeem Dimes and Fran
cisca."
What are you frightened Of dear?"
Me? Fright?' she asked, keeping
her eyes downcast. "Why should /
be fright? This is my home. Nothing
fright me-"
Again Dimes leaned toward her, his
eyes flaming, his handsome face
flushed
Francisco" he said softly 81 tell
you | love you, you glorious girl
love you Your eyes told me"
She touched a finger to his lips I;
the guitar was playing so softly they
could scarcely hear 1t. Again the
girl forced a laugh.
Come she gayly cried, will you
play cards for big money? The Senor
Dimes, Americana, is rich. Francisco
has nothing, so she play" Her breath
caught in half sob, but she smiled
and continued: "Yes, we play three
times poker. Francisco bets first her
hand for-fOr one kiss-against the
Senor Dimes much money. Next, If
Francisco lose she will bet her-her-
g., l.,
she lose, she will bet her-her heart
and-and-lips. No No, have not
finished. This last bet is to be for
much-much money. How you like
this game?'
Neither noticed the guitar was still.
Deal Deal" !" he cried. zone hand
and the draw for each bet See, first
/ make this pile against this little
hand This larger one for the rose
cheek, and If | win all-everythlng for
the last All, but darling-already
l have won the heart Tell me- please
tell me l have won the heart Fran
clsca?"
Look" she whispered, meeting his
look for a fleeting second, "see | deal
first you, then me, five cards. It is
done Now, it is what you call
cold hands. take three and you two.
All. you have the American luck-no?"
Il win | win Francisco, look
You can't beat lover
His lips clung to her wrist In n kiss
that turned her cheeks white. Breath
lessly, silently he took the cards, riff
fling them with trembling fingers.
Again they were dealt Again she
called for three and he two. Again he
won
Please, please" she gasped as he
leaped to his feet. Not this time
not my cheek See, l give again my
hand for your kiss. If so you win
the next - then - then-all, all-is
yours-so please pardon !"
This time her eyes closed under the
fiery kisses he pressed on her wrist
and fingers.
"You deal !" he whispered huskily.
'Look at me, Francisco Please look
up. Let me see your eyes. love you
love youw
Again and again she shufiled and
cut the cards, her face white. Then
lifting her eyes to his, pushed them
toward him.
"Tell me, Francisco, tell me you-"
he pleaded, cutting the cards.
81 DEAL she sald "and this time
It is -cheeks-heart-li
-me-against all your money. Yes,
that is it, Now"
In strained silence she dealt. Each
glanced at their cards, and victory
lighted his eyes.
"One!" he breathed.
She dealt to him and laid the deck
aside.
"Franclsca play these" she whls-
pered
'Tve won" !" he exulted. Fran
cisca, told you you couldn't beat
love. Look Look -Four fives and
an acel See Show Show It's a
showdown You are afraid-ah, dar-
ling, you must not be afraid Of me.
] love you, dear-my love won't harm
Its a showdown Come, let me
see!"