"You've the priceless gift of youth, dear Penny," said Jim softly. "Go and play, sweetheart."
There was a long silence. Dawn was marching on the mountain tops. Penelope watched the silver glory of the star-studded sky and she said in a steadier tone:
"'Life like a dome of many colored glass
Stains the white radiance of Eternity
Until death tramples it to fragments——'"
A sudden scarlet revealed itself on a far peak. It was like a marvelous translucent ruby, set in a silver mist.
Uncle Denny turned. "Henderson says we are right on the railroad."
"We are," replied Jim, "and yonder is the train."
The automobile drew into the station with the train and Uncle Denny, with Henderson, helped embark poor Sara on his last ride, while Jim put Pen aboard the train. Pen followed Jim back onto the train platform. Jim shook hands with her and stood on the lower step waiting for the train to start. His face in the dawn light was very wistful. Suddenly Pen's lips quivered. Just as the train began to move, "Jim!" she whispered. And she leaned over and caught his face between her hands and kissed him quickly on the lips. Then she slipped into the coach. Jim dropped off the train and stood staring unseeingly at Uncle Denny and Henderson. A to-hee sang its morning song from a nearby cactus:
"O yahee! O yahai!
Sweet as arrow weed in spring!"
"Put your hat on, me boy," said Uncle Denny, who had not seen the little episode, "and come on." He led the way to the machine and climbed in beside Jim. "Well, Still, she's gone!"
Jim turned and looked at his Uncle Denny. "She's not gone for long. When I have finished the Project fight I shall go after her."