And their eyes centered on Francis, but, before he could reply, Leoncia broke in.
"It is not fair, "she said. "No one of you wants to marry her. The only equitable way to settle it will be by drawing lots." As she spoke, she pulled three straws from the mat on which she sat and broke one off very short. "The man who draws the short straw shall be the victim. You; Senor Torres, draw first."
"Wedding bells for the short straw," Henry grinned.
Torres crossed himself, shivered, and drew. So patently long was the straw, that he executed a series of dancing steps as he sang:
"No wedding bells for me,
I'm as happy as can be..."
Francis drew next, and an equally long straw was his portion. To Henry there, was no choice. The remaining straw in Leoncia's hand was the fatal one. All tragedy was
