Cupids Understudy | Page 5

he was, or was not, as sound as a dollar, depended entirely on my answer.
"One would think I was a sort of supreme court from the way Dad refers all questions to me. But I warn you, Mr. Porter; my 'yes' or 'no' makes little difference in his opinions."
"You are my supreme court, and they do," declared Dad.
"I'm sure they do," said Mr. Porter,
"When the novelty of having me with you has worn off, you'll be your same old domineering self, Daddy dear."
"Domineering! Hear the minx! I'm a regular lamb, Porter. That reminds me: When are you going to California!"
"I hadn't thought. That is, I had thought . . . That is, I've wished . . . I mean I've wondered . . . I hope you won't think me presumptuous, Mr. Middleton, but I've wondered if you'd allow me to go on the same train with you and Miss Middleton."
"Why, my dear boy, we'd be delighted. Wouldn't we, Elizabeth!"
Mr. Porter turned to me. "You see, Miss Middleton, you are the supreme court, after all," his lips said. But his eyes told me why he wanted to go on the same train with Dad and me, told me plainer than words. Perhaps I should have remembered I had never spoken to him till that morning, but . . .
"The supreme court congratulates the inferior court on the wisdom of its decision," I said, with an elaborate bow to Dad to hide my confusion.
"It's settled!" cried Dad. "This is quite the nicest thing that ever happened," said Mr. Porter. "If only you knew how grateful I am. I feel like--like giving three cheers, and tossing my hat in the air."
"The inferior court rules against hat-tossing as irrelevant, immaterial, and incompetent."
"Ruling sustained," I said.
"And they call this a free country!"
"The newspapers don't. Read the newspapers my boy."
"At any rate, I now belong to the privileged class. When do we leave, Mr. Middleton?"
"Elizabeth says to-morrow. We go by rather a slow train."
"But why?" I began.
"Because, my dear, an all-wise Providence has decreed that express trains shall not haul private cars."
"Oh, I say!" exclaimed Mr. Porter. "That makes all the difference in the world."
"Only a day's difference."
"I mean . . ."
"You're going as our guest, you know."
"But really, Mr. Middleton, I never . . ."
"Don't be absurd, my boy."
"No," said Mr. Blakely Porter, "I won't be absurd. I shall be more than glad to go as your guest."
"That's the way it should be. Isn't it, Elizabeth!"
"I didn't know you owned a private car, Dad."
"Pshaw!" said Dad. "What's a private car?"
I smiled at what I was pleased to term "Dad's magnificence," little thinking I was soon to look on private cars as one of the most delectable of modern inventions.
Chapter Five
Our train left Grand Central Station at two o'clock next afternoon; it was bitter cold, I remember, and I drove to the station, smothered in furs. But our car was wonderfully cozy and comfortable, and it warmed my heart to see how proud Dad was of it: I must inspect the kitchen; this was my stateroom, did I like it? I mustn't judge Amos by his appearance, but the way he could cook--he was a wonder at making griddle cakes. Did I still like griddle cakes? "And do look at the books and magazines Mr. Porter brought. And a box of chocolates, too. Wasn't it kind of him?" Dear Dad! He was like a child with a new toy.
I'm sure he enjoyed every minute of the trip. Mr. Porter played cribbage with him (Dad adores cribbage) by the hour; they talked railroads, and politics, and mining--I don't think Dad had been so happy in years. I know I had never been so happy, for I was sure Mr. Porter loved me. I couldn't help being sure; his heart was in his eyes every time he looked at me.
When we started from New York, we were Mr. Middleton, and Mr. Porter, and Miss Middleton to one another; at Chicago, it was Tom, and Blakely, and Miss Middleton; I became Elizabeth in Utah (I made him call me that. And when we reached Nevada . . .
It happened so naturally, so sweetly. Dad was taking a nap after luncheon, and Blakely and I were sitting on the rear platform of our car, the last car in the train. It was a heavenly day of blue sky and sunshine; the desert was fresh from recent rain. And then a few, dear, faltered words changed the desert into a garden that reached to the rim of the world.
"I love you. I didn't mean to tell you quite yet, but I . . . I . . ."
"I know. And it makes me so happy."
. . . . . .
You never saw anybody so delighted as Dad was when we