Barclugh did not relish the affection that Mollie showed for Segwuna, so he remarked emphatically:
“We cannot rely on superstition, Miss Greydon.”
The latent fire of the Indian character gleamed in Segwuna’s eyes, and she longed in her heart to wither Roderick Barclugh, but the time was not ripe. Segwuna simply kept silent and abided her time.
After the carriage had arrived at Dorminghurst, Dr. Greydon and Barclugh sat upon the portico and conversed upon sundry subjects while Mollie and Segwuna strolled off together toward Segwuna’s lodge, Mollie remarked:
“Something has made you unhappy, Segwuna. What has happened to you?”
“Oh, nothing, my sweetheart. Your Segwuna’s heart bleeds for her country’s welfare, and I can see that something is to happen during the next moon that will make us all unhappy; but your Segwuna can not tell her sweetheart now. It might make me wish that I had not spoken about it, if it should not happen.
“I wish that my dearest one would excuse Segwuna and let her go to her lodge, and pray to her Manitou to clear her sky and bring happiness to her spirit, for her heart is very sad to-day,—very sad to-day,” repeated Segwuna.
“Yes, yes, my loved one,” replied Mollie. “Your Mollie loves you and knows how pure and noble her Segwuna is. Good night, dearest. Good night,” were the parting words of Mollie Greydon, as she kissed Segwuna, and left her to return to the mansion.
While the two were strolling on the winding path, Roderick Barclugh and Dr. Greydon sat on the portico and conversed freely. Barclugh resolved to confess the longings of his heart before his departure, as he knew that he must soon leave Dorminghurst.
He opened the difficult subject by saying: