How would Dan Hayne take it?
He took it with a jaunty indifference, and not only went to the wedding, but led the procession that saw the bride start on her journey to her new home.
"She was an awful flirt," declared Polly Morrison, "but I knew he didn't mean to marry her."
Even Polly held her head quite high in those days, and seemed to take pleasure in parading her numerous admirers.
The school girls were playing under a group of cottonwood trees one afternoon, when Polly and two or three of the older ones paused and joined the merriment. Sophie Piaget was telling charms. They should have gone out on St. John's night and walked three times around the church. On the way home you would hear a name called, and that would be the name of your future husband. Then you counted nine stars nine nights in succession, and you were sure to marry the first man you shook hands with.
"But what if you didn't like him, or if he was married," suggested some one.
"Then you mustn't shake hands with him," laughed Polly. "Save your shake for some one you do like."
"Oh, let's go out and get Shubenca to tell our fortunes."
They all rose in eagerness. Shubenca was an old Indian woman who did predict remarkable events, and they sometimes came true.
It was not far to the tepee, though two or three girls suggested it might be better to go home and help get supper.