BY

DYJAN FERGUS.

THE HUNTER, ROSE CO., LTp.

TORONTO.

Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year

And Akane SEER ENS eer

one

thousand eight hundred and ninety-six, by IDA May FERGUSON, at the

Department of Agriculture,

TisaB TD

“ HIs Gol ALL |

PETRA DI]

‘* BRAVO

TisaB TT AVOL

THE CHA

Tue CuI

Mrs. Bt TISA

RT I

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

TisaB TING, THE CHINAMAN, IS COMING. ......000 050

CHAPTER II.

‘ HIS GOLD, HIS BEAUTIFUL, SHINING GOLD, WILL COVER AGUA OES ook as Ted eb wee ee OTT Os

CHAPTER III.

PETRA DEGIDES TO LEAVE HER AUNT’S HOUSE........ CHAPTER IV.

‘* Bravo ! "—** In 1g THE CHINAMAN.”..ccccccccvcees

CHAPTER V.

TisaB TING Is INTRODUCED,—‘‘ I WILL DO WELi TO AVOID THIS MAN.”.—CHIPEE-NEE’S FIRST BATTLE,

CHAPTER VI.

THE CHARM OF THE OLD WINDMILL..........0eseeeeee CHAPTER VIL.

THE CHINESE LUNCHEON. .....ccsessssescceevcesarees CHAPTER VIII.

Mrs. BUNDER’S RECVEPTION.—A SONG.—ITS EFFECT ON Hg B.S RT is PON Stel Rar RET eae eel

PAGE

9

21

61

89

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX.

Five Non-MontTREALERS AND FIVE MONTREALERS. —

CON TRDBIN OB s::6: 4.9 5s vb eesG heed 4 4 Gad oR eeeteEe eR LL!

CHAPTER X.

AN AFTERNOON AT THE GROVE,—THE EVENING OF THE BEA Bias econ gii ee 4 faba: Sie ie ie Nie 90g 1068s oe bhai weave lees vet eee eee

CHAPTER XI.

‘*THE FIRST TIME OF ASKING.”.........

CHAPTER XII.

JERRY ARNALD’S FIRST COLLEGE YEAR,

CHAPTER XIII.

THE Eastern Hospitat Home.

CHAPTER XLV.

“THE Evectricat Kiss ”’........

CHAPTER XV.

THE TRIUMPH OF THE ELkEcrRICAL Kiss.—TisasB TING NARRATES TO PETRA THE STORY OF HER FATHER’S DEATH.—THE HEALING STONE............ce00eees

CHAPTER XVI.

A PACKAGE OF LETTERS.— WEDDING BELLS.—I WANT

YOUR ENTIRE TRUST; I KNOW I HAVE YOUR LOVE, 19! |

CHAPTER XVII.

Distrust FoR TisaB Tina.—‘** You ARE HIS MUR- DERER !’’— MARIE, THE SHIP STEWARDESS........ 208

Page :

A SECON

TIME

MapamM ] MER

“PHY \ SONG

THE DEA NEW

TisaB T AND

THE SE¢ VAI

Pagr P 11] HE see Wracor k4a0 152 .. 166 175 v G Ss . 187 iT » 199

. 208

CONTENTS. vii

CHAPTER XVIIL.

PAGE

A SECOND BIRTHDAY LETTER,—JERRY’S FRIENDS IN

TM i Oe ODD 6 56 phd ine beh 6 KAREN EAN OO CHAPTER XIX.

MapaM Noris.—THe TEMPLE OF SonG.-—AN ACT OF MMO ascent lee eee Be Chops ib veeabes Ooe

CHAPTER XX,

“THy WILL BE DONE.”’—AN UNUSUAL SERVICE OF SONG AND PRAYER.—REUNION.......00..0ceeceees 249

CHAPTER XX1I.

Tisab TING WOUNDED.—‘* AMON, AMON, MY FRIEND!” —ANOTHER CALAMITY.......----.. eee re 13

CHAPTER XXII.

THE DEATH OF NursSE AtrHotu.—TIisas TING RECEIVES NEWS OF PEtTRA.—JERRY ARNALD AND TISAB.... 262

CHAPTER XXilII.

TisAB TING IN THE TEMPLE OF Sonc,-—Mr. ALexX- ANDERS: MUVIOBS OO. Coccatsnpeemewes eae es ebakiae ane

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE SECRET OF THE WRECK.—TISAB TING PLEADS IN VAIN.—HOoME, SWEET HOME...........0+2++. «+. 282

CHAPTER XXV.

PrETRA’S RETURN TO CANADA.—THE > ‘REAM OF LOVERS —THE LIMIT OF SUIENCE. ' aale Lye ae

TH

PETRA singin and e3 worst posses: custon mornil surrou As |

pictur the ore the qt indeed den, w

TISAB TING;

THE EHLECTRICAL KISS.

a |. os

CHAPTER I.

Petra BERTRAM was flitting through the garden singing snatches of song in a voice varying in sound and expression, but resonant with sweetness. Her worst enemy would have admitted that she was in possession of “a very good voice.” It was Petra’s custom to spend an hour before breakfast every morning during the summer in the grounds which surrounded her aunt’s residence.

As she stands now, in the garden, she makes a picture pleasant to see. She seems to possess all the grace and dignity of womanhood blended- with the quaintness and purity of childhood; she is indeed the sweetest flower in that Canadian gar- den, with her daintily poised head and its golden

10 TISAB TING; OR,

crown that seems to catch and hold the brightness of the summer sunshine.

Laying claim to no conventional style of beauty, Petra Bertram possessed an attraction that was undefinable. Some would aftirm that it was the expression of the eyes, which were of a peculiar shade of grey. Eyes which would soften, and deepen, and dilate until .er very soul seemed to shine forth. Or the mouth, which was a provok- ing feature, with its sadness, smiles, sweetness and irritability. But her charm was neither in face nor figure, which was lithe and graceful, but rather in the magnetic power with which she seemed to be charged. Words are inadequate to describe her

as she stands, with hands clasped behind her and head thrown back the better to see her little feath- ered rival in song, that sits on a swinging bough pouring torth strains of praise to the morning brightness, in trills, in runs, in long, plaintive,

drawn-out notes. Then, in the hush that follows the completion of the song, looking down on his rapt listener as though to say, “ Who are you that you should try to compete with my great gift ?” The rapt expression still lingers on Petra’s face as she turns from the garden—with its glory of growing color, deepening sunshine and sweet sing- ing birds—and enters through the long, open win-

cole sa the exe « her roo! the diec

busi Can coui shot Im adm ingl « imp stru men wan

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 1]

dow that leads into the breakfast room, where her aunt and cousins are awaiting breakfast. That something unusual has occurred Petra feels certain as soon as she enters the room. Her aunt’s habit- ually placid expression is disturbed. The hard, cold eyes have taken a warmer tint, as though she saw all her worldly dreams consummated and was thereby gratified. Her daughters also appear to be excited,

“Guess what has happened, Petra!” exclaimed her elder cousin Maud, on seeing Petra enter the room; “mamma has had a letter from the son of the Chinaman who was with your father when he died.” “This Chinaman,” continued Maud, “ Mr. Tisab Ting, is coming to Canada to transact some business, and while here he desires to marry a Canadian girl and take her back with him to his country. Mamma sees no reason why Nan or 1 should not catch him. Did I tell you that he was immensely wealthy? How I do hope he will admire my dark style,” turning to glance admir- ingly at her reflection in the mirror near by.

“T don’t want any old foreigner,” said Nan, impatiently, at the thought of even Maud miscon- struing her excitement. “One of ray own country- men will be good enough for me; so as I don't want him, you can have him. I would not wear

12 TISAB TING: OR,

such a name as he has for all the wealth in the wide world. I was only pleased and excited over his coming, because I was glad that cousin Petra would find out about her father.”

“Don’t want a foreigner, indeed ; your own coun- trymen good enough! I couldn't be such a ninny as you are, but if I were I wouldn't show it so ridiculously,” retorted Maud, scornfully.

“T would rather be a ninny twice over,” emphati- cally cried Nan, “than have half your conceit to carry. I can feel it in my heart to be sorry for that Chinaman if he gets you.”

And here a wordy war might have ensued had not Mrs. Harrington interfered.

“T do not see that you necd be so angry with what Nan has said. Ifshe has no desire to please this gentleman, you will have the greater chance of gaining him. For you know, Maud,” said Mrs. Harrington, in even tones, as though she were reck - oning a commercial value, “ Nan can be very engag- ing when she pleases.”

“Perhaps Petra will interfere with your plans, Miss Maud,” mischievously said Nan.

‘No, I thank you,” quickly answered Petra, as she turned to her aunt for fuller information. She was curious to learn more of this man whose father had seen hers die. Her aunt handed Petra

THE ELECTRICAL KISS.

the letter which had been the cause of so much excitement in the usually quiet circle.

“ PEKIN, CHINA, “July 24th, 1995. “Mrs. Harrington, “DEAR MADA}

“IT am coming to Canada at an early date to transact some business. I also have a message which my father gave to me one year ago, when dying, to deliver to the daughter of Mr. Bertram. My father was with Mr. Bertram when he died. I presume on this, and write to ask if you will give me the favor of your acquaintance while I am in Canada, and assist me ina very difficult and deli- cate task which I will place before you. My father when dying inade me promise to marry a Canadian woman, and I am coming to fulfil this behest, and ask your assistance. My standing is of the best in my country. I am worth the sum of one thou- sand million dollars, as the enclosed payers will show. You know of my nationality. I feel I take a most unheard-of liberty by this request of mine. [ will leave Shanghai 14th August, and expect to reach your beautiful city of Montreal, of which [ have heard so much, on the 29th August. I feel as I write this that Canada and China are almost

@¢ 14 TISAB TING: OR,

within hand-clasp, when I can travel from our to your Dominion in fifteen days. It is not only China and Chinese that have made rapid strides in the past hundred years.

Kindly send an early reply to the Wing-Wang Hotel, Pekin, China.

I am, Yours sincerely, TisaB TING.

“Don't you think that is the height of impu- dence, aunty ?” asked Petra, as she handed back the letter.

“J do not understand you, Petra; for instead of thinking the request contained in Tisab Ting’s let- ter impudent, Iam going still farther, and I will invite him to visit us while he is in Canada.”

A look of anything but pleasure darkened Petra’s face as she thought of the way her aunt and cousin Maud would bow down, and worship, and scheme, in accordance with the rules of society, for the favor of this hateful foreigner, because of his enormous wealth.

“You do not look very much elated over the coming of this gentleman, Petra,” said Nan.

“ No, I hate the whole Chinese race,” exclaimed Petra, “ but I do wish to hear what this man knows of my father’s death,”

Pe she | wher sent her 1 ago, Berti wher parti celve ed he tion full « felt | of he Chin those failec chee’ pleas her who Now lived weal

ad |

you

vs

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 15

Petra Bertram’s birthplace was in China, and she had lived there until she was six years old, when, on the death of Mrs. Bertram, she had been sent to Canada to be brought up and educated by her mother’s only sister, Mrs. Harrington. A year ago, when Petra was seventeen, a certificate of Mr. Bertram’s death had been received from China, where he had lived since his wife’s death. Further particulars relating to his decease had not been re- ceived, and from the air of mystery that surround- ed her father’s death, Petra was under the convic- tion that he had been murdered, and her heart was full of bitterness against the Chinese, whom she felt had robbed her of him. Petra’s remembrance of her father, whom she had not seen since she left China, was but dim; yet she missed him more than those around her imagined. The letters that never failed in coming once a month, that were so full of cheer and loving tenderness for her comfort and pleasure. ‘The money which he sent, to cover all her expenses. Whilst he lived she had one to whom she could turn, and she was independent. Now she was living on charity, although, while he lived, her father had been supposed to be very wealthy.

“Tam glad, Petra,” said Mrs. Harrington, “ that you are not in love with the idea of our expected

16 TISAB TING: OR,

visitor, and I am also pleased to believe that you have no desire to become the Canadian wife that this Mr. Tisab Ting has decided to find here. See to it that you do not change your opinion with re- gard to this man on his arrival. You know, Petra,” as Petra drew herself up in haughty erectness, yet looked at her aunt in bewilderment, continued Mrs Harrington in reproving tones, “ you are very for- ward and pushing at times, for one situated as you are. I never expressed my thoughts of your con- duct before, but you have so often forgotten, since your father’s death, that you are dependent on me, that I wish to remind you before this Chinaman comes that I do not wish you to try in any way to gain the attentions of this Chinese gentleman. |] have fully decided that he shall marry your cousin Maud, so do not presume to attract his attention, because he brings you a message which cannot be of much importance, or you would have received it before this late date.”

“Perhaps he brings Petra information about the fortune we all supposed her father would leave to

her,” said Nan, who had been nervously moving

about the room while her mother was talking to Petra, for the latter was too proud to allow her aunt to see how deeply she had been wounded, and only tender-hearted Nan knew what she suffered.

“ He 1995,” shocke I woul this a nation came tl ali I] since | though “my s

and Ch

etymol know tl Maud,” “ Just . he is @ the old whole | she tho from 0 every | ence, | And to lier tha knew 1 and ins

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 17

“ How I do wish I had lived in 1895 instead of 1995,” exclaimed Petra as she recovered from the shocked surprise caused by her aunv’s lecture, “then | would not be everlastingly bothered with Chinese this and Chinese that—the horrid narrow-eyed nation have followed me since my infancy. First ‘ame the Chinese nurse,—then, when I remember ali I have suffered through Chinese civilization since I began my education,’ Petra rattled on though she must give vent to speech or break down, “my school days were surfeited with Chinaisms and Chinese geographical, historical, ethnographical, etymological and ethnological—and if you want to know the proper and correct meanings to those words, Maud,’ looking at her cousin almost contemptuously, “Just look up that new dictionary by Yum-Yum, he is credited for being away in advance of any of the older lexicographers—I am heartily sick of the whole Chinese constitution,’ said Petra, fiercely, as she thought of the last indignity put upon her, “for from my earliest recollection, Chinese progess in every branch of art, literature, and especially sci- ence, has been dinned into my ears incessantly. And to think,’ she mournfully said, “that not ear- lier than one hundred years ago the civilized masses knew next to nothing of China, its customs, laws and institutions. And now one of the hated tribe

18 TISAB TING; OR,

is to descend upon us. Ye gods,” went on Petra, who had lost all control of her tongue in the mad rush of angry wounded pride, “and I am warned ” she continued, looking indignantly at her aunt, “ not to make love to or marry this man. Make your mind easy aunt, | would not interferr with your plans were it in my power to do so.

possible while his august China-ship is here.” And as Petra turned and passed from the room, she heard her aunt saying, in cold, calm tones that con- trasted oddly with her own energetic flow of words :

“That girl appears to get more insufferable every day. Had I shown her her proper place at the time when the news of Antony’s death was receiv- ed, I would have had no fear of her interference in

my plans now.”

As Petra made her way to her room, the repul- sion she felt towards her aunt, the pain and loneliness in her heart, seemed more than she could bear. She condemned herself bitterly for speaking im- pulsively, as she had. Then came the feeling that she could no Jonger remain under her aunt’s roof,

partaking daily of her bounty. “No,” she firmly decided, “ I must go, but where and to what? Yet earn an independence I must and will, but of what

With your | kind permission I will absent myself as much as |

min I cap

vonder 1 s her ml iecessity ould au Vhy cou lid not leath ? «dd what she woul ince, but Then she though tk that aun would tr dream of is the fa eloomily primary « was neve ing. Ho much unt as she p “Tf he w and beg 1 and I wi While

etra, mad

”

1e¢ “not your your

your |

eh as ere,” , she con- w of

ery

the elv- ein

pul- ness pear. im- that oof, mly Yet vhat

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 19

hi I capable? Absolutely nothing, but singing! I

vonder if Ieould gain a livelihood by it?” Then, s her mind revolved once more to the cause of the recessity of this step, she sadly thought. “ How ‘ould aunt be so unkind to her sister’s only child ? Vhy could she not have told me gently that she lid not wish to provide for me after my father’s leath ? She was too cowardly to do that, she fear- od what her social world would say so much that she would rather permit me to stay here on suffer- ince, but I will not,” Petra muttered, rebelliously. 'hen she continued her thoughts aloud, slowly as though they were worthy of consideration. “I believe that aunt, feeling towards me as she does now, would try to oppose me if she thought I would dream of working for my own living. Everything is the fault of that Chinaman and his wealth,” cloomily thought Petra,as she remembered the primary cause of all her present trouble. “ Aunt was never so unkind to me before as on this morn- ing. How I hate that Chinaman for bringing so much unhappiness into my life !” said Petra, angrily, as she paced back and forth through her room. “Tf he were to creep on his hands and knees to me

Mand beg my toleration, I would not grant it to him

and [ will always hate him.” While Petra was facing the future in anger, lone-

20 TISAB TING.

liness, and doubt of her own ability to meet th necessities of the future, Mrs, Harrington and May were planning for the comfort of the wealth Chinese foreigner, |

JERRY, 1 hat enc ouse, “Ves.” e 2” “No, 1 hurry,” Ss. hat the q han Jerr: ever was Jerry, t voman th

maN an’s call

ave to Ww muture. | and Nan 1 And N¢ mot knov Hearts ”’— she would Boy ar

eet tl

d Mau

realthi

CHAPTER II.

JuRRY, is that you?” called Nan over the hedge hat enclosed the grounds around her mother’s ouse,

“Yes,” came the immediate reply ; “do you want 1e 2”

“No, not particularly, if you are in a great purry,” slowly replied Nan, who, when convinced hat the quick, firm tread belonged to none other han Jerry, could afford to be indifferent, for Jerry ever was.

Jerry, unversed in the ways of the world and voman though he was, knew that if he disregarded

MgNan's call by even a sign of hesitation, he would

ave to work out his atonement in the very near

suture. ‘lo Jerry Nan’s voice was sweetest music,

and Nan the embodiment of his dream.

And Nan reigned thoughtlessly, at times cruelly, not knowing that she was Jerry’s “Queen of Hearts ’—that he wa: dreaming of the day when she would awaken and respond to his love.

Boy and girl together they grew up, he the

21

2

i “ea fl ei 4 i

22 TISAB ‘TING; OR,

stronger, ever ready to shield and protect her; she the weaker, growing round his heart and entering into his entire life, from the very fact of this pro- tection. From outer appearances, as they stand one on either side of the hedge, a casual observer

would never suppose that they had an idea orf

thought in common. She is tall and graceful, her face so sweet and winsome, with its proud chin and mouth, sensitive nose, tender, wide-open, inquiring blue eyes, eye-brows and forehead that could be- long only to adreamer. She has dark brown hair, worn in the prevailing fashion, brushed from the forehead and dressed high on the head. She isJ wearing a dainty muslin morning gown of a mix- ture of toned colors, made in the style known as} the “ Flowery land costume.”

Jerry likens her to some big butterfly as she§

stands on tiptoe to catch a better sight of him. How he would like to clasp her in his arms and call her his own ! as he feels that her very resemblance to that dainty passing dream of summer, but removes her further from him. Yet, in equality of nature’s gifts, Jerry has no need for doubt. As he stands on the broad, white road that skirts the Lachine, he is taller than Nan, strong and broad shouldered, a look of intelligence on his sun-burned face, his fair hair

And then all thought darkens

curling

brown J

Jerr From a ton wel felt hin and thi have be She wa all her wealth no placg gardene daught for her, in retu) submitt that the an end: his tru to him. positior

“We might t I have

With ready f for dea

; she tering 3 pro: stand 3erver

ea org

l, her nand uring d_ be- hair, n the

he is}

m1x-

yh asf

him.

and

uinty rther ferry road, aller k of hair

s she

‘kens

THE E£LECTRICAL KISS. 93

curling lovingly under the old whether-stained brown hat,

Jerry Arnald was one of nature’s gentlemen. From a worldly point of view he and Nan Harring- ton were far apart. But he did not think thus; he felt himself to be her equal in all else but position, and this he would gain in the future. Nan would have been dismayed had she known his thoughts. She was proud, she dreamed of worldly rank, for all her life she had been taught by her mother that wealth and station were life, so Jerry Arnald had no place in herdream. He was employed as under- gardener by her mother, and she was her mother’s daughter. He was permitted to fetch and carry for her, to defer to her at all times, and receive in return—what? Nothing. He waited on and submitted to her because he loved her, but he felt that the time must come when all this would be at anend; and then he would stand before her in his true colors. When thoughts of that day came to him, he did not think, “ Vill Nan accept my position ?” but, “ Will Nan accept my love ?”

“Well, Jerry, if you are not in a hurry, you might try and be in one just for once in your life, I have some great news to tell you,” cried Nan.

With one leap Jerry cleared the hedge, and was ready for the news, as he would have been ready for death at Nan’s command.

24. TISAB TING 5 OR,

Then she told him of the letter received that morning, dwelling on the fact that the Chinaman who was so wonderfully rich, was coming purposely to seek a Canadian wife, “and she was sure she would suit him.’ And as Nan saw her companion’s face darken, she became more wilful.

“Mamma is going to send Mr. Chinese, what’s his name, a message immediately, saying, ‘Dear and honored sir, and here mamma would like to bow over the cable, she is so fond of rich people,” Nan’ explained, a dissatisfied expression on her face, “but science hasn’t advanced so far yet, ‘will be pleased to entertain so distinguished a foreigner, and will be charmed to assist you in that other little matter, meaning me or any other lady Mr. Tisab Ting desires for a bride, and here mamma will prob- ably invoice two marriageable daughters and one niece not guaranteed. ‘That should reach his com- mercial heart. Don’t you think so?” giving Jerry a glance of inquiry, as though soliciting his opinion. “For at this present day,’ continued Nan, “the Chinese nation is one of the greatest commercial nations on the round globe.”

Her companion said never a word, but the brightness of the summer morning was gone for him. He saw nothing but a rich, parently favored Chinaman winning and wooing winsome Nan, and

a grea gladn ture | this te thougl Would bravel life, w that h for he withstd

‘“ Ho Nan, 1 pigtail, man he ever so where ;

he will tion in parchm bones, ¢ ality. to him. picture. As } man, J far aw

iat

wun ely she n’s

his nid Ow Yan’ ice, be ner, ttle sab ob- ne m- rry on. the ial

he for red nd

THE E:.ECTRICAL KISS, 25

a great sob rose in his heart and blotted al. t'.e gladness from out his life. Every human crea- ture has some dark days in life, and Jerry felt this to be one of his darkest, for this was the fi st thought of some other than himself winning Nan. Would he have strength to bear his sorrow bravely ? ‘To see Nan snatched up and out of his life, while he was plodding along trying to rise that he might be more worthy of her acceptance,” for he firmly believed that no mortal man could withstand Nan’s sweetness.

“How I wonder what he will be like,” went on Nan, in teasing tones. “ He won't be wearing a pigtail, I am sure of that, for nearly every China- man has ceased wearing his hair so, for ever and ever so long. I’m certain of that, I read it some- where; but,” she continued, “I do not suppose he will be at all nice looking, for, all the civiliza- tion in the world would not take away the tawny, parchment-colored skin, oblique eyes, high cheek bones, coarse, oily hair, characteristic of his nation- ality. And the way he will grunt when you speak tohim. Oh! I shudder at the sight of my mental picture.”

As Nan speaks so disparaginglv of the China- man, Jerry’s hopes rise once more Nan is not so

far away. Could he have kept the look of joy

” ~~

Rae

lease ———————

| 26 TISAB TING; OR,.

from his face, Nan might have ceased teasing him, [i nent and so have averted the breaking down of the bar- | Bit riers that had stood so firmly since childhood ; but othe Jerry was no dissembler, nor had he wisdom inthe § «| ways of women. this,’ Nan considered Jerry her lawful prey to tease eval and torment, or be pleasant to, just as she was §& whili inclined ; she felt on this oceasion that she was an- “] noying him without just knowing why, soon she —@ aun rushed. bette “But his gold, his beautiful shining gold will low, cover all his ugliness—for Maud,” thought Nan, but me, } Jerry did not know this. wall “Nan, Nan, do not break my heart, you are arent | cruel to ne,” cried Jerry, miserably, and reaching —g 7 “M forth, he caught her hands in his firm grasp. ithe Nan was astonished, frightened; Jerry, her boy- | Go ar friend and comrade, was gone, and in his place ‘ tage, stood a passionate, pleading lover. : woulc “Nan,” he continued, tenderly drawing her close Hi canno to him <3 they stood in the shadow of the hedge, “ Sir, “T love you, you are to me what the sunshine is to and | | the world, without you all would be darkness, Hi What | gloom and despair for me. I have worked and digna Hi studied to hard that I might be more worthy of play ix i your acceptance at some future day. Oh! Nan, do “oN

not give me up for the riches of this man who is i rough

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 97

coming. I will work so hard if you will but wait. But you must wait; you are mine, and I swear no other will ever have you.”

“Let me go. How dare you talk to me like this,’ exclaimed Nan, freeing herself from his en- circling arms, where she had rested in inert surprise while he was speaking.

“T dare because I love you, Nan. Do not be augry with my love—do not thrust it aside—purer, better, man could not offer woman.” Then Jerry’s low, pleading tones became persuasive. “ Promise me, Nan, that you will marry me some day, and I will work as men only work when they have some great object to gain.”

“Marry you, you!” emphasized Nan, with withering scorn, “my mother’s under-gardener ! Go and wash the dishes in your small, paltry cot- tage, darn your socks, cook your meals! No; it would require love to do that, and I hate you. | cannot tell how I hate you,” she exclaimed fiercely. “Sir, I will never forget or forgive your insult.’ and here she sank in a tumbled heap on the grass. What cared she for summer morning finery? In- dignation, grief, dismay, love, for her friend and playmate were all surging in her heart.

“ Nan, do notecry, I cannot stand it,” said Jerry, roughly ; “and do not lie in the grass like that ; let

PR aap ah SE BED

28 TISAB TING: OR,

me lift youup. And,” asked Jerry, tenderly, “you did not mean what you said to me just now, did you, dear ?”

“Go away, do not call me your dear; I am not, and never will be,” Nan exclaimed. “ And,’ she con- tinued angrily, “ do not touch me, for I would sooner have a toad touch me than you.” Then looking up and seeing the miserable expression on Jerry’s pale face, she put her face down into her hands once more and cried passionately, like an angry, hurt child.

Jerry, kneeling beside her, but not trying to touch her, said, “ Nan, stop erying and listen to me,’ and his voice was so changed, so stern and unlike the usual mild tones in which he was accustomed to address her, that Nan dried her tears and ceased sobbing, to listen to what Jerry had tu say.

“Nan,” said Jerry, his manly tones tremulous with deep feeling, “I love you, I have always loved you, I ask you to be my wife at some future day, and since you were nine and I fifteen, I have in- tended asking you this. I consider it no insult to you. Social position as yet I have none to offer you, but I did not think that you would discard my love because you were rich and I poor. While dream- ing of winning you, I have not dreamed only. I did not think of asking you, the delicately-nurtured daughter of a wealthy woman, to join me in my

soel ing, me vers VOGa her,’

A all t ever she t thin] have

“T objec sayl of s Chin toree

tinue twen a tey I do ask pledg think other

ing, |

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 29

social state as it is at present. I have been work- ing, studying. I have now enough saved to take me through the course of medicine at McGill Uni- versity, for I have chosen medicine as my life vocation, and [ intend to enter college in Septem- her.”

As Jerry spoke of his savings, Nan thought of all the dainty gifts that he had bestowed on her every birthday for so many years past, gifts which she took, not ungratefully, but indifferently, never thinking of the amount of self-denial they must have cost.

“T have been working and striving toward one object alone,” continued Jerry. “I did not intend saying all this to you until [ had won some measure of success, but I saw you in imagination in that Chinaman’s arms, won by his wealth, and I was forced to speak,” said Jerry, sternly. Then he con- tinued, pleadingly, “ You are but sixteen Nan, 1 am twenty-one, all the world is before us, wait for me a tew years and let us live in the world together. I do not ask you to pledge yourself to me, but I do ask you to promise to wait five years, before you pledge yourself to another. Do not refuse me this, think of the years past, all we have been to each other, and if you will not be softened by my plead- ing, let those bygone happy days plead for me.

30 TISAB TING: OR,

Look up, Nan, and give me this promise I crave, and which [ would stake my life on your keeping, once given.”

“You might have told me something of your plans,” said Nan, rather sulkily, raising herself up on her elbow, and turning her face all tear-stained and flushed towards Jerry. How he longed to take her in his arms and comfort her as he had done many a time in childhood days.

“TI did try to tell you several times, but [ could not. You knew I was studying, and I thought you must understand it was towards some purpose,’ said Jerry, in mildly reproving tones.

“No, I did not know ; I never imagined that you were so ambitions. My flights of fancy would have travelled indeed, could I have imagined you, whom I have always looked upon as my mother’s under- gardener, and nothing else,” she said cruelly, “as a doctor and my husband. Why, the joke is too good, I sha'l laugh at the thought of it forever,” said Nan, giggling nervously. Her sense of bitterness, of loss, was so great that she felt a desire to wound Jerry, who stood so proudly before her.

“T do not care how long you laugh,” said Jerry, doggedly, ‘in the meantime promise me you will wait as I have asked, for five years. That will be four years for college and one year for work, before I dare ask you to marry me,’ reckoned Jerry.

An away quest, time 1 year ¢ ter th: pain t What heen |

-otrlhor

her we a nobl she sa pride : out, “

you so

you dq could, longer How | if he consid wound made voice g possib seechi as we

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 31

And though Nan obstinately turned her face away once more, making no reply to Jerry’s re- quest, her heart cried out, “promise him this, the time will not be long in passing, and perhaps in a year or two he will meet someone he will like bet- ter than you.” And this thought gives her more pain than all her wounded pride had given her. What would her life be without Jerry? He had heen her defender in childhood, her counsellor in

-vitlhood, and to him she owed all that was best in

her womanhood, for he had at all times set her such a noble example of honest, upright character, And she saw the stretch of years before her, and in her pride said “there is no room for him.” She eried out, “Jerry, Jerry, do not go away, I would miss you so much. Who would sympathize with me as you do? Not mamma, or Maud ; dear Petra alone could, but I fears he will not,be staying with us much longer after all mamma said to her this morning. How I wish that Chinaman had stayed at home, or if he had come to Canada, that he would have been considerate and left us alone. Petra has been deeply wounded, And just look what a bother he has made between you and me,’ regret making Nan’s voice sound even sweeter than usual, if that were possible. “ Dear Jerry,” she continued, looking be- seechingly at Jerry, “do not go, just let us continue as we have always been.”

32 TISAB TING: OR,

“ Will you marry me as [ am,” proudly inquired Jerry.

“No,” answered Nan promptly.

“Then you are cruel to suggest my remaining here, I must go,” Jerry decisively returned.

“ Now Jerry, understand this,” said Nan, nodding her head, as though the better to emphasize her words, “I will never marry you whether you re- main or go, you might as well crush that thought forever.”

“T cannot, I will not,” firmly returned Jerry, “I intend winning you, and if I lose you it won't be my fault. Think, Nan,” he said, “ what you ask me to give up. Why you have been my incentive towards ambitious work and: nobility of character for the past seven years. So my love for you,” he said, with boyish reason, “is all your own fault.”

“No Jerry, no, [ have not been all you say ; no, girl, and never such a weak, wavering one as I am could have developed such a character as yours, its nobility and worth would have come out without any assistance,’ said Nan, doing Jerry justice on this occasion at least.

“T feel,” she sadly continued, “that I have done you more harm than good.”

All the pleading had gone from Jerry’s face ; de- termination had settled upon it and gave it a stern,

old apy natures request © Pr fore me And had at would | sider tl to me, | not be» Nan, w where ; love be: “Tha five yee time to I come “The deep th honor t and win this pro “Tha full of expressi my love

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, oo

old appearance, that told of suffering such as strong natures alone have to bear. And what had been a request before was now almost a demand.

‘“ Promise, Nan, that you will wait five years be- fore making your choice in life.”

And with a great pity in her heart for him who had at all times been so kind to her, she said, “ I would promise you those five years, and not con- sider them much of a return for all you have been to me, if at the expiration of that time you would not be made unhappy, for you know, Jerry,” said Nan, with womanly wisdom, “ one cannot love just where and when they will, and suppose I fall in love before those five years go by, what then ?”

“That will be my risk, only promise me those five years, and if you fall in love, you will have time to fall out again,” grimly replied Jerry, “ before I come back to make my request for your love.”

“Then,” returned Nan after a few moments’ deep thought, “I give you my solemn word of honor that I will not marry until five summers and winters have gone, unless you give back to me this promise which I give.”

“Thank you,” exclaimed Jerry, “my heart is so full of blessings for you, Nan, that I cannot give expression to them. And since I have told you of my love, I will not see you again before I leave.

ra are trata oe Ra a RI ;

34. TISAB TING: OR,

It would not be right, for, Nan, forgive me, but every time [ would see you I would want to take you in my arms and kiss your smiling lips; you will understand why I do not seek you, why this will be our farewell. I will leave here as soon as your mother has found someone to fill my place. Nan, will you write me a few lines on your birth- day, and—and,” he continued, hesitatingly, “ will you let me know if you should fall in love with anyone ?”

“Tt will give me pleasure to write you, and when I fall in love, you will be the first one to know, and I am sorry, Jerry,” continued Nan, “that I have been the cause of so much misery to you; but perhaps it won't last long,” she said con- solingly, “ you will meet some nice, clever girl when you are in the city, and you will forget that you ever spoke of love to me.”

Jerry’s face wore a look of disbelief as he asked :

“You are not anury with me now, Nan? I could

not go from you in anger. Nor could I ask your

forgiveness for what I have said to you; but I assure you I had no intention of telling you of my love until you were twenty and I had passed four college years.”

“No; I am not angry with you now,” replied Nan, slowly, as though in doubt of the truth of her

i )

words, dlisappo trust in “T we friendsb prove di Jorry filling h not have “Vou MeGill 1 he eonti will I lo bye, and

reverene been ble the eras

as he dic fingers sunburné

Mm his ears

offence, ness of Pp cherishec meeting, tute of h rington,

ut

ri ’

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 0)

words, “but you have been a bitter surprise and disappointment to me this morning. I will never trust in such a friendship again,”

“T wouldn’t if I were you,” said Jerry, “such friendsbips cannot exist; they must eventually prove disastrous to one or other of the parties.”

Jerry was jealous at the thought of some other filling his place in Nan’s affections, but he would not have been so had he been sure of Nan’s love.

“You can address your birthday letters ‘care of McGill University, ” said Jerry. ‘“ And remember,” he continued earnestly, “never as long as I live will I love other than you, Nan. And now good- bye, and God keep you for me,” he said with deep reverence, “and I will believe my life has indeed been blessed.” Then kneeling down heside Nan on the grass, he kissed her hands tenderly, thinking as he did so, of the many times the white, slender fingers had twined themselves round his rough, sunburned hand ; or in a moment of anger struck his ears with no gentle force for some supposed offence. With face pale as death with the bitter- ness of parting, he rose and left her whom he had cherished and loved from the first hour of their meeting, when he came an urchin of twelve, desti- tute of home, kith or kin, to work for Mrs, Har- rington, never turning for fear he might falter in

Hi

uh f

j We * :

36 MISAB TING,

his purpose and return to crave her love. No; he must work and wait for that joy.

Long after Jerry had gone, Nan lay on the grass near the hedge, crying her first woman’s tears, which seemed to burn into her heart and sear it. She asked herself, “to whom would she go for sympathy in her loneliness. I will go to Petra, she will be kind to me as only one other could. Oh, Jerry, Jerry,’ sobbed Nan, pitifully, as she thought sadly of that other one.

THE cit beyond teenth ¢ Mrs. Ha tieth ce on the l the pro and fro

Lachine the roa of Mont dence the city The from w monumé beaten ¢ against The @

*See Va See als

6) Ae Be ae

CHAPTER III.

Tue city of Montreal had grown and extended-— beyond the most sanguine expectations of the nine- teenth century—over the greater part of the island. Mrs. Harrington’s grandfather early in the twen- tieth century had purchased a large lot of ground on the lower Lachine Road. This ground included the property known as the Wind-mill Homestead, and from that point it extended half a mile towards Lachine and about a quarter of a mile back from the road. When Lachine became part of the City of Montreal, the Harringtons owned a country resi- dence beautifully situated in the very heart of the city.

The house was situated a short distance back from where the picturesque old mill* stands, a monument of time and bygone industry, weather- beaten and mellowed by age, its gray wings dragged against the rising wind.

The exquisite taste displayed in flower garden

*See Vol. 1 ‘* Picturesque Canada,” 8, 146. Pub, 1882. See also ‘* H'storic Canadian Ground ” By John Fraser.

37

38 TISAB TING} OR,

and terrace, the maple grove some distance away— a spot never too warm even on the most sultry summer day——was but the necessary setting to this jewel of architectural work, the Harrington resi- dence. All that imagination could design in the heautiful, and money procure for comfort, had been combined into one harmonious whole for this Canadian dwelling. To say Mrs. Harrington was proud of her home would not be adequate. She idolized it, for through it she gained a notoriety that delighted her as none other could. Inquirers who were surprised at the stretch of unoccupied land owned by her, learned of the almost fabulous suins she had been offered and had refused for a part of the ground surrounding her residence. Petra, as she steps from the house unto the bal- cony that runs across a part of the front of the building, tries to define the air of expectancy that prevails inside the house and meets her in the sur- roundings without. Tisab Ting, the Chinaman, is expected to arrive to-day,and though there has really been no ostentatious display made in honor of the coming of this wealthy foreigner, this inexplicable feeling of expectancy tollows her. Her home of twelve years is made unhome-like by it. As she

stands lost in deep thought, she is caught round the waist, and Nan, who has grown very dear to her

in the and pe seeing were W it, cous We cousin though that st mill to the spa You sh father, laid th plantin dear ol have fe ber tha voted e retain ¢ tinued manage every ] along 8: out to | wonder¢ months

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 39)

in the past few weeks, inquires, “ Why so dreamy and pensive an attitude? One would suppose, on seeing you in such a deep brown study, that you were weighing some weighty question. What was it, cousin mine, social, domestic, political, or what 7”

“Well, Nan,” said Petra, turning towards her cousin and smiling at the demand made for her thoughts, “I was thinking of the beautiful picture that stretches out on every side. The old wind- mill to the left, the maple grove at the mght, and the sparkling waters of the Lavhine Rapids in front. You should indee 1 be grateful to your great-grand- father, when you remember that it was he who laid the foandation of this home: buying the land, planting the grove, and, best of all, keeping the dear old mill from being destroyed. He, too, must have felt some charm for the mill, for you remem- ber that clause in his will—‘ the mill must be reno- voted each year to preserve it from decay, and so. retain an old landmark. ‘Then, dear Nan,” con- tinued Petra, “I was thinking what a splendid manager your mother is, for, under her supervision, every part of the household arrangements move along so smoothly. Then my thoughts drifted far out to sea,’ -aid Petra in low, sad tones, “and I wondered what my home would be like a few months hence when I have found a home elsewhere,

4() TISAB TING; OR,

a place in the world that would hold no luxurious ease for me, where independence would be my source of pleasure. I would that those latter thoughts were as bright as the surrounding picture. I have advertised in the Boston U for work,” said Petra, the accents of her voice less sombre ; “my sense of independence cries out live on charity no longer, and [ must obey its dictate or lose my own self-respect, which would be a dear price to pay for the necessities and luxuries of life. I believe, Nan, that as long as one lives up to their own self-respect, humanity will respect them; this idea may be an erroneous one, but I trust I will

never prove it to be so.”

All this while Petra had been speaking in tones low but poignant with deep feeling of her desire to work. Nan had stood in silence, her arm around Petra’s waist, with a sorrowful expression on her face.

“Oh, Petra,” said Nan, “do not think of going away from me. Mother and Maud are disagree- able to you at present because they fear you will prove so attractive to this Chinaman, and that you will manage to win him instead of Maud; but when they see how indifferent you are to him and he to you, they will cease their petty annoying crueities. Then think, Petra,” said Nan, pathetically, “how sad

and l three That at the Jerry of the at sig love t I had The i wouni more instea disgra al Ny been occas grow my r face, runnil curve by yo woma trivia you ré¢ your ¢

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 41

and lonely I will be without you, for within the past three weeks you have grown into my very life. That afternoon,” she continued, her face darkening at the remembrance of it, “when I met you after Jerry had left me, you came to me in the attitude of the sympathizing friend, without a word, but just at sight of me, you knew my need of the healing love that only one true woman can give to another, I had never dreamed of meeting this kind of love. The intuition of your sympathy melted my spirit of wounded pride, and made Jerry’s confession of love more what it should have been to me, an honor, instead of what I felt it to be at the time, a disgrace.”

“This love in part,” replied Petra, “has always been in my heart for you, Nan, waiting for the occasion to arise for you to recognize it; but it has grown in strength since the morning you entered my room and I saw the shadow of grief on your face, the tears dimming your eyes and all but running down your cheeks, your trembling, down- curved lips and drooping figure. I was convinced by your appearance that you had found your first woman's sorrow—a sorrow which to many would be trivial, but to you deep and intense. And when you responded to my glance of sympathy, twining

your arms around my neck and nestling your head 3

42 TISAB TING: OR,

on my shoulder, told me all about Jerry, I felt a wealth of tenderness in my heart for you that will never be obliterated while I live, come what may. I am grieved when I remember that you and I will soon have to part.”

“And never from my memory,” replied Nan, “will fade the loving touch of your fingers as you smoothed back my ruffled hair; I felt your touch was a benediction—the sobs that rose and would not at first be repressed, subsided—a sudden curi- ous quietude came to me and calmed my agitation —my heart was filled with a deep inclination for prayer; but I felt like praying to you. No, Petra, no; not now,” said Nan earnestly, as Petra was about to speak, “I have learned to whom to pray.”

And for a few moments the girls stood in deep silence, which was broken only by the rustling of the leaves and the chirp, chirp of the birds hidden in the green foliage.

“Nan, said Petra, “you are too sensitive for every-day wear. Why, inany a girl would have laughed at this proposal of Jerry’s and thought no more about it; but it was not so with you.”

“No, they would not,” replied Nan, positively, “had they regarded Jerry as dearly as I.” And with a little gasping sob Nan continued, “How I miss him, Petra; I never knew what a part of my

ever ship acti yard mult need “Th Nan woul sion - nothi cure | er

[ nev plent tional actio I go regret adver away your pride, shoul from an ab me to

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 43

every-day life he was until I lost his companion- ship. Jerry was my comrade in thought and in action, but now if he discovers I am within twenty yards of him, he immediately goes into a state of multiplication action of twice twenty is forty. He need not be so ridiculous,’ she said disdainfully. “ There is only one consolation for me,’ continued Nan more cheerfully, “I have you, and, Petra, you would ease my mind of a load of anxious apprehen- sion if you would but assure me that you will do nothing hasty, such as leaving here before you pro- cure acceptable work.”

“Then cheer up, rid your mind of demon anxiety. [ never take steps in any important matter without plenty of deliberation. I rarely allow the emo- tional side of my character to rule me or my actions,” said Petra, in youthful arrogance. ‘“ Once I go forth to work, I will not return here. I only regret that I did not receive some reply to my advertisement before this, that I might have been away before this Mr. Tisab Ting’s arrival. T believe your mother would be glad to see me go, yet her pride, for fear of the comment that would arise should she permit her own sister's child to go forth from her protection to earn a living, while she had an abundance, is so great that see would not allow me to go willingly, so I do not intend to tell aunt

44, TISAB TING: OR,

that I am going until all my arrangements are complete, because the clash of opposition against decision would only be a source of annoyance to us both.”

“Thanks, Petra,” replied Nan, “for the assurance ‘that you will do nothing hastily. Your going will be bad enough for me to bear, without having any doubt of your welfare to trouble over.”

“ Nan, I would like to ask you a question,” said Petra, with hesitation; “not out of curiosity; do not answer unless you wish to do so.”

“Ask any question you please, Petra, I would never deem you curious,’ immediately returned Nan, as she gave Petra a smiling glance.

“Jerry Arnald loves you, I believe,” slowly said Petra, “he will work hard to gain a position that will enable him to win you. Do you think you will ever have any love to give him in return ? —the love of a wife, ] mean. And should you find, as the days go by, that he has grown very dear to you, would you permit social position to interfere

with your becoming his wife at some future day ?”

“T am sure I will never love Jerry,” replied Nan, with firm assurance, “as a wife should love her husband, with the deep, abiding love of a life-time. As a friend I will always hold him very dear. And pride of social position,” she continued in slighting

tone poss have intlu ae Petr ad your aftlic kin t have saw | to yo magn last f tion, man deep whos¢ mem lose h She r stern, you said you si made

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 45

tones, “ has departed from my heart. I never did possess very much of such pride, but what I did have has dissolved itself. Under your beneficent intluence I have changed in many respects.”

“Well, I am sorry for Jerry,’ musingly said Petra.

“ Petra,’ exclaimed Nan, “how did you receive your knowledge of sorrow ; you have had no serious afHictions in your own life to make you so near of kin to the afflicted. Your father’s death could not have affected you deeply, it is so long since you saw him that he can be little more than a dream to you. I believe you draw people to you by your magnetic power,” said Nan, as though she had at last found the proper solution to an evasive ques- tion, and would hold firmly to it. “Ican recall many instances where you have helped those in deep sorrow. One in particular, Mrs. Patnos, whose son is supposed to be drowned. You re- member how her friends thought she would surely lose her reason, her grief was so quiet and tearless. She repulsed all those who came near her by her stern, calm reserve ; but when you went to see her you must have looked at her as you did at me,” said Nan, giving Petra a gentle, loving shake, “as you said to her,‘I am sorry for you,’ others had made this remark, and Mrs, Patnos had looked at

46 TISAB TING: OR,

them in stony calm, as though to say, ‘You feel nothing of my sorrow. She tried to repulse you also, but she could not. The tears dimmed the steely glitter of her eyes, as she voiced for the first time since the news of her son’s death came to her, the yearning for her sailor boy, all the heart-break she experienced as she caught herself listening for his footstep and the cheery tones of his voice. And this is not the only instance that I know of when you have brought comfort to heavy-laden, sorrow- stricken humanity. Tell me, Petra, the secret of your power.”

“No secret, Nan,” replied Petra, “ else it is that I like to get as near the human heart of the world as possible.”

“Qh! bother, I must go now,” hurriedly ex- claimed Nan, as she saw the old gardener some dis- tance away, “mother has commissioned me to place the very choicest flowers in Mr, Tisab Ting’s rooms. She mentioned the variety, or I would get the worst things I could find. He would’nt think much of our Canadian horticulture, I warrant you,” said Nan, grimly, as she viciously whisked the garden basket off the balcony floor, where she had thrown it on seeing Petra. “Ido hope Maud will capture him at an early date and rob us of his com- pany. What are you going to do with yourself now, Petra ?”

wt left 11 al time at he four ¢ run ¢ to re nothi be so comn oT he will e enter « is her by he i reque so mi erour will accor oppo: beyo Th unkil the ¢

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 47

“JT am going to the grove to get a book that I left in the nook yesterday,” replied Petra.

“ Be sure you are back and dressed in plenty of time for dinner. It is now two,” said Nan, looking at her watch, “and Mr. Tisab Ting will be here by four at the very latest. How I do wish I could run off with you instead of having to sit in state to receive this mercantile king, who will have nothing to say for himself, and will in consequence be so hard to entertain!” Nan said this in such

commiserating tones that Petra laughed at her. “T hope,” continued Nan, more brightly, “ that he will enjoy music, then you can sing to him some entertainment.”

“No, I won’t sing any while this Mr. Tisab Ting is here; I promised aunt that I would not, except by her request,” replied Petra, coldly.

“ What a shame, how could mother make such a request,” exclaimed Nan, “I think mother is taking so many precautions to keep you in the back- ground,” thoughtfully continued Nan, “that she will be driving Mr. Tisab Ting to act in perfect accordance with the rest of his sex, namely, in opposition, or a desire for whatever he thinks is beyond his reach.”

Then, as though in atonement for her mother’s unkindness, Nan kissed Petra, and hurried into the garden.

i ath

48 TISAB TING; OR,

Petra bent her steps towards the grove, and as soon as she was lost tu view, Mrs. Harrington stepped from the low window, near which the girls had been standing, on to the balcony. An amused light gleamed in her eyes, as she thought, “It is well that I happened to be near just now, my dear niece, and over-heard your conversation. So you intend to earn your own living, do you? But not while this Chinaman is here will I permit you to leave my house for any such purpose. Had you gone before his arrival, you would have been well out of the road. But if you go now, what would he think ? No; you must remain, hum,” exclaimed Mrs. Harrington, reflectively, “ how will I manage it, let me think, I will have a letter pillar erected, and I will instruct the carrier to put all letters and papers into it. I alone will hold the key and distribute thé mail. The household will suppose that the arrangement is made because of Tisab Ting’s coming ; so it is, but not for style, as they will imagine. And my daughter has learned how to pray,’ Mrs. Harrington continued, her thoughts once more reverting to the conversation she had overheard, “how amusing, but [ need not worry about that, she will no doubt outgrow the habit. It is well Jerry Arnald leaves to-morrow. The fool, to aspire to my daughter,” and she stamped her

foot ir to ask good ¢ ing be nerves young this m capabl: satisfa: them.” Non ness or that he cold-lo suitabl Tisab mother this las eration devolve

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 49

foot in anger at the thought of her gardener daring to ask for the love of her daughter. “I will take good care that they have no opportunity of meet- ing before he goes, last farewells always strain the nerves and spoil the beauty, and I believe my younger daughter would be foolish enough to love this man on the least opposition ; but I think I am capable of arranging both her affairs and Petra’s satisfactorily to myself and without trouble from them.”

None would have doubted her powers for mean- ness or deceit could they have seen the cruel smile that hovered around her mouth and lurked in her cold-looking eyes. “I must arrange to have Nan suitably married as soon as Maud has accepted Tisab Ting. It is a great responsibility to a mother to have marriageable daughters.” Over this last thought Mrs. Harrington sighs in commis- eration of her hard lot—of the many duties that devolve upon her as a mother.

CHAPTER IV.

THE place Petra called her nook was a small grotto that looked as though it might have been used as a shrine in the early days of Canada’s his- tory.

Close to the entrance of the grotto was a large stone, peculiarly shaped, rising about two feet above the ground and having a flat surface of about four feet square. This stone was known as “the Danc- ing Rock.” The grotto was situated near the cen- tre of the grove, where the trees were so thick that their branches interlaced overhead.

Finding the book for which she had come, Petra seated herself on her favorite Arcadian chair, the Dancing Rock, to rest before returning to the house ; but she fell into a deep reverie, never giving a thought to fleeting time, so engrossed was she with her thoughts, until the sound of the deep clanging bell of the old Lachine chapel fell on her ear. Could it possibly be four o’clock ? Then the hour had come that would see the arrival of Tisab Ting, the man whose coming would deprive her of the

greatest pleasure in her life, the expression in song 50

of “AY ask sigh a now tile last and my ¢ asks the Then expre beau % 66

rings certa her g

mall been his-

large bove four Janc- cen- that

Petra , the ouse ; Ing a with nging

ear. » hour Ting, of the

h song

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 51

of all her doubt and fear, happiness or sorrow. “Aunt cannot know what a hard command she has asked me to comply with,” thought Petra, with a sigh.

“T suppose that horrid Chinaman will be here now, and since I will not have a chance to sing un- til either he or I go away, I will just have one last practice. The rock will be my stage, the trees and birds my audience. What will I sing to you, my dear companions of many a lonely hour?” Petra asks aloud, as she stands in graceful attitude upon the rock. “‘ Dinna Forget’ will be appropriate.” Then, with all the power of exquisite harmony and expression of which she is capable, she sings that beautiful old song.

*“ Dinna forget, thongh our fortune divide us,” rings out her voice clear and sweet, with just that certain touch of pathetic intonation which makes her singing different from that of all other singers:

‘* And life all has changed since the day when we met ; Gladness or sorrow, whatever betide us, Think of me sometimes, do not forget.”

Then, after a few seconds pause, she renders the second verse:

“Do not forget what we once were together ; Think of it still with a tender regret ; Fortune may change, like the wind and the weather, But friendship wili last, and will never forget.” * Words by F. E, Weatherly.

52 TISAB TING; OR,

When Petra finished singing,a solemn quiet reign- ed, It seemed as though the trees had even hush- ed their sighing to listen to the melody, so still was the grove.

Then a musical, deep-toned “ Bravo!” breaks the silence, and from behind a large tree near by a gen- tleman steps, whose unlooked-for presence discon- certs Petra more than the most critical audience could have done. His strange appearance, his foreign accent, compel one belief—the Chinaman ! He, of all people, had seen her making a fool of herself, and when her aunt had particularly desired that he should not hear her sing. “ What would she do?” questioned Petra of herself. She would not explain the circumstance to her aunt, nor could she explain to this man, who had made himself so obnoxious to her already. Petra never questioned her first supposition, she was confident that the man before her was her aunt’s expected guest.

As th cht after thought presents itself to Petra, the « .or escape is so great that it almost ca ser to jump from the rock and rush away out of the sight of the man who is gazing sv in- tently at her, glorying in her discomfiture,—no, there is only one course for her to pursue. She must step from the rock, smile and bow, simply ac-

knov stam that. that. curre she darke into ¢ WI ness a has b throb As usuall all cor her hg manng How I fell ness, of ste death things dying away. brings tion, a

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 53

knowledge herself a fool. With a sharp, impatient stamp of her foot, Petra thinks, “ Oh, that the place that I stand on might open and swallow me.” At that moment, before she can realize what has oc- curred, the stone gives away beneath her feet, and she feels herself falling down,—down through darkest spece that knows no ending, that crushes into oblivion even the horror of imaginary thought.

When consciousness returns to Petra, the dark- ness and awful silence of the place into which she has been thrown, make her heart almost cease to throb with the agony of fear that overcomes her.

As Petra pursues her gruesome thoughts, her usually strong nerves give way entirely, she loses all control of the power to reason. Then, pressing her hands to her aching head, she thinks in a dazed manner, “Am I in the very bowels of the earth? How did I get here? I did not fall from the rock, I fell through it.” She looks up, but all is dark- ness, mystery. Horror of horrors, would she die of starvation in this awful hole, perhaps before death would come to release her, dirty creepings things would eat and crawl over her, and she in her dying weakness would be unable to drive them away. The disgust awakened by these thoughts brings back her reason and instinct for self-preserva- tion, as nothing else could have done,

54 TISAB TING: OR,

Timidly she reaches forth her hand, to find that

she is evidently lying on a pile of straw which is |

covered with some kind of thick canvas that has broken her fall and saved her from injury. This reassures Petra somewhat, for she reasons that some one must hav~ placed it there. Reaching still fur- ther forward, her hand touches what feels like slimy stone, causing her to draw back shivering. “If I only had a match,” she utters wildly, and the sound of her own voice coming echoing drearily back to her, sends a thrill of horror tingling through every nerve in her body. Then with courage that is driven by an indomitable will, she rises and stands stiff and erect, not daring to move forward for fear that she will be hurled into some blacker and more awful depth yet unfathomed. “ What will I do next,” mutters Petra, softly, in abject fear of her own voice. “I will scream just as loudly as I can, that wretched heathen may hear me and come to my assistance,’ her anger rising above her fear as she remembers who is the cause of all her present trouble. But wait, what was that? Then words come to her, low but distinct, which make her trem- ble with apprehension :

“Yet, who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him.”

“Am I in the den of some madman, or at the

merey of his susper of her forwal sently heavy aside, vision dimly table, : She ca ing ov hands the la to bes the va blackn s.0on W “Th “Je more il Arnald Jerr growin gloom grasps

the

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 53

mercy of amurderer frenzied by the remembrance of his own act,” thinks Petra. Unable to bear the suspense that was worse to her than confirmation of her worst fears, with courage superb, she goes forward, groping her way in the darkness. Pre- sently her hand touches what feels to her like a heavy piece of carpet, then hesitatingly pulling it aside, as though in fear of what will meet her vision in the beyond, she discovers another cave dimly lighted by a small lamp that stands on a table, and near which is seated the figure of a man. She cannot see his face, for he appears to be bend- ing over something. What can it be, his blood-wet hands? Andshe at his mercy! The faint rays of the lamp appear to Petra’s overstrung imagination to be shivering through the surrounding gloom in the vain endeavor to penetrate into the horrible blackness. Her nerves are drawn to highest ten- s.on when the voice continues :

“The Thane of Fife had a wife.”

“Jerry! Jerry! oh Jerry!” she cries, unable to say more in the excess of her joy at recognizing Jerry Arnald’s voice. .

Jerry, though no coward, leaps to his feet, his face growing white as death. Striding forward into the gloom where Petra is standing, unable to move, he grasps her in a vise-like grip and demands, “ Who

' 4 3 9 ae ‘ | ; i | i | \ H ; i

56 TISAB TING; OR,

are you?” as he drags Petra hurriedly towards the light. His look of fear gives place to amazement when he finds the intruder to be none other than Petra.

“ Why, Petra!” exclaims Jerry, in surprise, “ how did you get in here ? ”

But Petra was past all explanation; the past fears of a horrible death staring her in the face had strained her nerves to snapping tension. Jerry saw that she had fainted.

“ Well Petra,’ asked Jerry, when she recovered consciousness, “do you feel any better? You gave me a most tremendous fright; why your voice startled me so that I jumped about four feet in the air. I don’t know where my copy of Shakespeare Hew to. Did I hurt you when I caught yea so fiercely ?”

“Do not ask me any questions,” groaned Petra, “just take me from this fearful tomb.”

“ Why, this is not a tomb, it is an old underground passage,’ replied Jerry.

“Take me out of it, whatever it is,” Petra faintly replied.

Jerry, thinking that Petra was going to faint again, hurriedly picked her up in his strong arms, and, carrying her through several winding passages, emerged through a green thicket into the grove at

& Spo the le < N he seg Ho

blowil

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passage

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was no one cou that roe liar ex

e it

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 57

a spot which Petra recognized as being a little to the left of the grotto.

“ Now, you will soon feel better,” said Jerry, as he seated her on the ground.

How thankful Petra was to feel the fresh air blowing on her face again. “ Jerry,” said Petra, earnestly, stretching out her hands towards him, “ I have no words to express the gratitude I feel to you, for you have saved my life this day, and I will never forget it.”

“You have indeed had a wonderful escape,” re- turned Jerry, gravely ; “my going to the old under- ground passage to-day was providential. I am coing away to-morrow ; you knew that, did you not?” he inquired.

“Yes,” answered Petra, “ Nan told me.”

“Thad a desire to visit all the haunts of my boyish days, and more especially the underground passage. But how did you manage to get down there?” questioned Jerry.

Then Petra gave Jerry a graphic account of her afternoon’s adventure. “ But, Jerry,” she finished, a puzzled expression on her face, “do you see how [could possibly fall through the stone though there was no opening above where I was lying. Yet, no one could convince me that I did not fall through that rock,” said Petra positively, as she saw a pecu- liar expression on Jerry’s face.

4

58 * TISAB TING: OR,

“ Well,” ejaculated Jerry in tones of astonishment, ‘‘so the old legend is true, after all.”

“ A legend, what is it?” asked Petra eagerly, who was almost boyish in her love for the stories of bygone days; the more improbable the story, the better.

“ Yes,.a queer story which had a strange effect on my life,’ answered Jerry, smiling at Petra’s eagerness. “ Before I came to work for Mrs. Har- rington an old French charwoman told me the legend which the circumstance of to-day proves true. In the thirties of the seventeenth century,” narrated Jerry with the air of one who enjoys telling a good story toa sympathetic listener, “ there was asmall French fort on the Upper Lachine Road. The principal duty of this fort was to hold in check the Indians who often threatened to destroy the young colony. In seasons of peace, the French sol- diers had considerable leisure time at their disposal, this time they employed by excavating a passage which ran from the upper to the lower road. From the fort on the upper to the ‘Dancing Rock’ on the lower, one soldier, more ingenious than his comrades, had constructed the ‘ Daucing Rock,’ with a cleverly devised automatic hidden spring, which, when touched from the top of the stone, sent the centre of it down, to rebound in a few sec-

onds

captu dance their ers, al the sp throw given men, , The pc but be. ing tha their gt they w capture dance i times o arms, t learning was im] to Mrs,

were ac the pas any sol ‘Dancin I inspec nothing

rs

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 59

onds to its former place. All Indian prisoners captured by the French soldiers were made to dance their national war dance on this stone for their freedom and the entertainment of the soldi- ers, and if the Indians, when dancing, did not touch the spring that caused the top to drop back and throw them into the passage-way below they were given their freedom by the superstitious French- men, All those who fell through were put to death. The poor Indians not knowiiy of the trap below, but believing it to be the excellency of their danc- ing that won them their freedom, danced with all their subtlety of grace and intricacy of step of which they were capable. In fact it is said that fear of capture by the palefaces raised the Indian war- dance into a science, and in the French fort during times of peace the jest was passed, “put up your arms, there wiil be no more war, the Indians are learning to dance.” When I heard this legend I was imbued with a spirit of adventure. I applied tc Mrs. Harrington for a situation and my services were accepted. I explored the grove until I found the passage we just left, but I could never find any solution to the best part of the legend, the ‘Dancing Rock.’ I pounded on it, I danced on it, I inspected the rock carefully, but could find nothing to show that it had ever opened. Many a

i ia HH

60 TISAB TING,

night have I fallen asleep on that pile of straw on which you fell, to dream of Indians dancing above on the rock, their war-whoop echoing through the night air. Then I would awaken with a dreadful start, imagining that they had fallen through and crushed me.

“TI sincerely pity the Indians,” said Petra, as Jerry finished speaking. “If they suffered half the agony that I did as I fell through the rock. I wonder what Tisab Ting thought and did when I disappeared so suddenly,’ and Petra’s laughter rings out clear and joyous at the thought of his probable surprise. “ Oh, gracious!” Petra exclaims, rising hurriedly, “ what if some one shoud inquire after me, as they ere sure to do if I am late for dinner or absent from that meal without excuse. Chinee would be sure to make himself speak if he heard of one girl missing, then aunt would be worse than ever towards me, and dear knows things are disagreeable enough for me at present.”

awed @)

“Wir family Ad but a breath “Tt annout guests early { the wo nose, curves, hurry dress,” Petre she ha and th return, “Wh Jane, i “The

wre

CHAPTER V.

“Why, Miss Petra, are you not going to join the family at dinner to-night ?” exclaimed Jane.

“Am I very late? I went out intending to stay but a short time and was detained,” sai Petra, breathless with the hasty run she had made.

“Tt is twenty-five minutes yet until dinner is announced,” said Jane, “all the family and the guests are now in the drawing-room, for they are early to-night in honor of the Chinaman, who is the worst looking article, ugly as sin,” and Jane’s nose, Which naturally has most decided upward curves, seems to twist itself still higher. “ But hurry along, Miss Petra, and I will help you to dress,”

Petra was greatly liked by all the servants, as she had done many kind, considerate acts for them, and they seemed always eager to do service in return, Jane was Maud’s maid.

“What dress will you wear, miss?” inquired Jane, in business-like tones.

“The black washing muslin, which was brought 61

(2 TISAB TING: OR,

from the laundry this morning, I tacked a few violets around the square at the neck, and on the shoulders ; here is a big satin violet-colored bow, fasten it on near the bottom of the skirt, you will find a pair of long gloves the same shade in that box near your hand. Yes, and you might get that violet and gold ornament for my hair. Oh, Jane, do you see my shoes anywhere ?—I don’t remember putting them away,” asked Petra, all the while pro- ceeding deftly with her toilet.

“ Yes ma’/am, here tt ey are,” answered Jane, who was considered to be a treasure as a lady’s maid, lor she was ever calm even under the most trying circumstances.

Jane dressed Petra’s hair with the taste of an artist, surmounting the golden pile with the beauti- ful ornament, a gift her father had sent her from China shortly before his death. In fifteen minutes after her entrance into the house, Petra was ready for dinr er.

“T think I have beat the record for dressing this time, Jane, and I owe it all to you,” said Petra, giv- ing Jane a rare sweet smile, which Jane decided was so charming that she tried to imitate it on her next devotion to her mirror.

“ Indeed, miss, it’s a pleasure to work for some folk, whilst it’s a trial to work for some others.

Now of n noth look you | ae | Petra did y Ching room. “M old \ never Bund But y serve Pet aunt receiv aa to fee softly my ni Pet recog he doe until ]

ers.

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 63

Now there's Miss Maud nearly worried the life out of me this night, she was two hours dressing ; nothing I did for her suited her, and she didn't look nearly so well in her beautiful pink silk as you look in that simple black washing muslin.”

“Qh, Jane, you are prejudiced in my favor,” said Petra, laughing at Jane’s earnestness. “ But who did you say the guests were to-night, besides the Chinaman,” inquired Petra, as she was leaving the room.

“Mr. Bunder and his wife and Archie Bunder, old Mr. Cragie, and another gentleman whom I never saw before; the footman said he was Mr.

3under’s new secretary, he looks like a Frenchman. But you had better hurry miss for dinner will be served in five minutes,” finished Jane.

Petra hastens into the drawing-room, and, her aunt motioning to her, she went forward and received an introduction to Mr. Tisab Ting.

“You are late, dear Petra, I was just beginning to feel anxious about you,” said Mrs. Harrington in softly-modulated tones. “ Allow me to introduce my niece, Miss Bertram, Mr. Tisab Ting.”

Petra is in a state of feverish anxiety; will he recognize her? From his manner she is sure that he does not, and this assurance gives her courage until he replies to the introduction, “1 am pleased

64 TISAB TING 5 OR,

to meet you, Miss Bertram,” said in such a tone that Petra feels sure that he means to imply that he has met her before but n ver expected to see her again. This makes Petra feel ill at ease and fills her heart with an uncertain feeling of hatred for him, as she forces herself to say, “ we are pleased to have the pleasure of meeting you, Mr. Tisab Ting.” Petra would not have said this had she not felt her aunt’s eyes to be riveted upon her, and knew that any neglect of courtesy would be entirely miscon- strued by her aunt.

Bowing to Tisab Ting, Petra crosses the room and seats herself beside Nan, who is talking to the Mayor of Montreal, Mr. Bunder, a very old and valued friend of the late Mr. Harrington.

‘“‘T was beginning to fear, my dear, that we were not going to have the pleasure of seeing you this evening, said Mr. Bunder to Petra, as she drew near. “ You have just been made acquainted with your aunt's foreign guest. He is a strange-looking individual, is he not? Are you prepossessed in his favor? But I need not ask that, for all the ladies of Montreal society will think him too charming for anything.” This last was said in a sarcastic, high-pitched feminine tone which made both Petra and Nan laugh.

“YT have formed no opinion with regard to Mr.

Tisal his v inton oy you a me I will g of th minis twent me th Pet: when she g positio placed Nan f¢ cumst¢ Just t spared she w culty “qd ottendi Mr. ¢ he fga opport tion b

™M

on 0 ® 5 I

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 65

Tisab Ting yet,” replied Petra, “but I noticed that his voice was very pleasing—in fact musical in its intonation.”

“ Yes, | had no doubt you would recognize that ; you are so full of music yourself. That reminds ime I have a request to make, one I am sure you will grant, you are always so kind. The President of the United States, his wife, and several of the ministers are to be at the reception we give on the twenty-ninth of next month, and I want you to do me the honor of singing on that occasion.”

Petra had never before refused this old friend when he had asked her to sing’ at his house, and she groaned in spirit as she felt the awkward position in which the; keeping of her promise placed her, Petra turned’a beseeching look towards Nan for assistance, but Nan, knowing all the cir- cumstances, was at as much of a loss as she was. Just then dinner was announced, and Petra was spared an immediate reply, but she gave a sigh as she wondered how she would get out of the diffi- culty of keeping her promise to her aunt without ottending her old friend.

Mr. Cragie was Petra’s partner at dinner, and as he fgave all his attention to it, Petra took the opportunity afforded of listening to the; conversa- tion between Mr. Tisab Ting and Mrs. Bunder.

O06 TISAB TING. OR,

Tisab Ting had taken Mrs. Bunder in to dinner and they sat at table almost directly opposite Petra. Mrs. Bunder, previous to her marriage, had been one of the best known lawyers of the United States, and was able to converse with a fluency and easc which made it pleasant to listen to her conversation.

“Yes, Mr. Tisab Ting, the art of conversation has made great progress in Canada during the last twenty years,’ Petra heard Mrs. Bunder say; “ for instance, the hostess does not hurry her guests into a crush of chairs and start them like so many auto- matic machines playing with cards, amongst, per- chance, a number of uncongenial people, as was the custom when my mother was a reigning belle. No; social evenings are now conducted on very different lines from those, and I believe that the new order of society came about through the educated woman, who in the latter part of the nineteenth century was labeled the ‘new’ woman. Yes, undoubtedly with the higher education of woman, a new era came, and society was the first to feel the beneficial wave. Equal intellectual rights have produced, to a greater extent than has ever before been known, equal morality of sex.”

“The educated woman has been a great factor in our country’s advancement,” said Tisab Ting. “In

the | ashai same wy that charn panioi Bunde In { the re and M she soe istical] as Mr, indivic nations unrede scrutin amusec only a as the the cho Voice y to Mrs carriage of the acterist

in

In

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 7

the last century a Chinaman had reason to be ashamed of his mother, yet the women are the same now, only polished.”

“Yes, woman holds the same position to-day that she did centuries ago, but with the added charm and benefit of being an intelligent com- panion and instructor,” thoughtfully said Mrs, Sunder.

In the hum of voices, Petra was unable to follow the rest of the conversation between Tisab Ting and Mrs, Bunder, and thinking herself unnoticed, she soon became completely engrossed in character- istically analyzing Mr. Tisab 'Ting; he was indeed, as Mr. Bunder had remarked, “a strange-looking individual;” his features would never belie his nationality. Petra was about to pronounce him unredeemable when he looked at her as she was scrutinizing him, and gave her a penetrating yet amused glance. Petra forgot his ugliness and saw only a pair of magnetic eyes that varied in color as the brain varies in thought. She heard only the choice nicety of language delivered in a musical voice with foreign inflection, as he made some reply to Mrs. Bunder, remembered only the dignified carriage, which detracted from the insignificancy of the short, square-built figure which is so char- acteristic of the Chinese. Petra was covered with

6S TISAB TING 2 OR,

confusion as he found her studying him so intently as though he were some zoological specimen, and she a schoolgirl student. Yet how dared he show his amusement to her so plainly. “I will skow him how little I care for him or his appearance before he leaves here,” thought Petra. She was not sorry when her aunt gave the signal to leave the table, Mr. Cragie gave her his arm—for it was customary for the gentlemen to leave the dining- room with the ladies. On reaching the drawing- room, Mr. Tisab Ting seated Mrs. Bunder beside Mrs. Harrington, and immediately crossed the room to where Nan was standing talking to Petra.

Mr. Archie Bunder—a young man of very Ger- man appearance, whom Nan had aptly described as square-shouldered, square-faced and intellectu- ally opaque, she claiming that he was at all times impervious to the shafts of intellectuai light that flashed about, “me and mine” being the extent of his intellectual and conversational powers—was trying to engage Maud’s attention, with whom he was deeply in love, and Maud would doubtless have been satisfied with his attentions had not higher

game come in sight to be caught. In character

Maud was very much like her mother, narrow and shallow, possessing an amount of conceit that was amazing, but her brilliant brunette beauty offset this, and she was much sought after.

W room to sp Nan that Arch Mauc join t them no bo the bh aftinit made Archi

Le at di went Petra contri agains conce all the to find sitting gave vividl

had gi

= & Qs = © © ® Pe @

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 69

When Maud saw Mr. Tisab Ting crossing the room, she instantly concluded that he was coming to speak to her, but when he passed on to where Nan and Petra were standing, near the window that lead to the balcony, she was annoyed, and Archie spent a very unpleasant time. But when Maud saw Mr. Stead Ray, Mr. Bunder’s secretary, join the trio, and then after a few moments saw them all pass out on to the balcony, her anger knew no bounds, and rising, she said, “I am going out to the baleony,” and Archie meekly followed. The aftinity of sex called love has, from time to time, made greater fools of more intellectual men than Archie Bunder.

“'To what conclusion, Miss Bertram, did you come at dinner?” abruptly asked Tisab Ting, as they went from the balcony into the garden. And as Petra remained silent, he continued in a voice so contrite that, while he spoke, she forgot her anger against him. “Iam sorry I offended you by dis- concerting you at dinner, but I had felt your glance ull the time, and I could not resist looking at you to find out just what you «vere like when you were sitting in judgment on a poor foreigner.” And he gave way to a musical laugh that brought back vividly to Petra’s memory the amused glance he had given her at dinner,

70 TISAB TING: OR,

“ There, I have offended you again,” he said in penitent tones, as Petra turned impatiently from him, “but you will forgive me for all past and future offences, should I make any before I become fully acquainted with the customs of your country.”

“Evidently I will have to disillusionize Tisab Ting’s mind on some matters,” decided Petra.

“You have never offended me in the past, Mr. Tisab Ting,” said Petra, her voice cold and deliber- ate, “ you have not done so on this occasion, I only allow myself to take umbrage at those friends who are dear to me, and if you can imagine how far off you are from the category of my friends, you will understand how little offence you have or can ever give to me.” Then Petra, in her irritation, forgot her réle of dignity : “I suppose you feel that because you saw me make a fool of myself on one occasion, that you are at liberty to make one of me when- ever it suits your fancy.”

As she speaks thus, Petra acknowledges herself to be unjust.

Tisab is quick to notice Petra’s irritation, caused partly by the distrust that cannot fathom in the slightest degree his peculiarity of voice and man- ner, and the knowledge that to avoid further un- pleasantness, she will have to ask this man to refrain from mentioning the episode of the after-

noon.

ey you | noth assul voice refer me, I S0.—. peara divin ness, ing as some act, a gone : our ra fled b cure, tone, sense went follow “Na to sta not te too lo

“ Al

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 71

“Pardon me, Miss Bertram, if word of mine led you to suppose that I was making a fool of you; nothing was farther from my thought or desire, I assure you, and the quiet gravity of Tisab Ting’s voice restores Petra to calmness, “ but since you refer to this afternoon’s adventure—which, believe me, I would not have mentioned had you not done so.—How did you manage your mysterious disap- pearance? I heard a voice human, yet with power divine, that lulled all earthly thought by its sweet- ness, then I saw a lithe form on a raised stone sway- ing as the birds do when they are pouring forth some exquisite melody, then before thought could act, at the expression of my appreciation, all was gone asa dream. Had not civilization nearly cured our race of superstition, I would have immediately tled back to my native land. Too bad about the cure,eh? Tisab Ting said this in such a quizzical tone, and it was so near to Petra’s thought, that her sense of humor was touched. “'Tell me where you went and I promise you that I will never try to follow you.”

“No, I do not think you will, for I never intend to stand on that rock again,” replied Petra, “I can- not tell you of my adventures to-night, it will take too long, but I will tell you some other time.”

“All right,” acquiesced Tisab Ting, “that is a

72 TISAB TING; OR,

promise that I will exact at an early date. | Only assure me, Miss Bertram, that such pitfalls do not abound around your aunt's’ residence,” his voice assuming an accent of abject terror.

Petra could but wonder at Tisab Ting’s voice—it was such a chameleon of varying intonation—as she assured him that ‘as far as she knew, the grounds were quite safe.

“ Now, Miss Bertram, if you will not entertain me by telling of the thrilling adventures that I am sure were yours to-day, come in and sing one song, and I will play your accompaniment. It will not be akin in beauty to that of this afternoon, when you sang and old Father Molus played a minor symphony among the trees, but I will do my best.”

“No, I cannot sing for you,’ answers Petra bluntly.

“What? Not sing when your aunt’s guest requests you to do so. What kind of hospitable entertainment do you followin Canada? Why the most illiterate and unpretentious Chinaman has a better conception of hospitality than you appear to have. For if he could not sing a note, he would howl to the best of his ability.” The sharpness of reproof in Tisab Ting’s voice, as he utters this, cuts Petra like a knife.

Then how she detests him as she feels that now

she shar will aski less ] i Petre imag like t maint regret of in] sing’ ‘ neithe ence QO “M disapp "Ve not w heard audibl aunt’s “Ce this red you sh of any throug] hands,’

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 73

she will have to humble herself, and, as it were, share a secret with him, for explain to her aunt she will not and she cannot have this man continually asking her to sing as she feels certain he will, un- less plainly told not to.

“Your country I deem too hospitable,” remarks Petra, a smile hovering round her mouth as in imagination she sees rows of Chinamen more or less like this one beside her, howling in the necessity of maintaining their standard of hospitality. “And I regret that you put my refusal to sing in the light of inhospitality. I cannot explain why I cannot sing as you desire, but you will oblige me by neither asking me to sing nor alluding to the occur- ence of this afternoon at any future time.”

“May I not hear the story of your mysterious disappearance ?” inquires Tisab Ting.

“Yes, I will tell you of that some day, but I do not wish you to tell anyone where and how you heard me sing,” Petra replies in a voice scarcely audible, as she realizes into what a coward her aunt’s unjust usage has converted her.

“Certainly,” responds Tisab Ting, “I will respect this request of yours, and here is my hand—I believe you shake hands in your country on the completion of any bond or promise, while we in our country go

through a succession of low bows, rarely clasping hands.” 5

74 TISAB TING; OR,

Reluctantly Petra places her hand in his, and he retains it while he continues, “ I will not ask you to sing, or acknowledge in any way that I know you can sing, but nevertheless, I feel sure that the joy of hearing your charming voice in song at some later day will not be denied me. You will sing again, and when you sing remember you are singing for me, and me alone,” then Tisab Ting drops her hand in such a curt manner that Petra feels her pride lowered as she has never done before, and she wishes, when too late, that she had told her aunt of that afternoon’s episode instead of speaking as she had done to this Chinaman. On this, the first evening of Tisab Ting’s arrival, Petra decides that she will avoid him in the future, for he has a singu- lar power over her and he keeps her emotions in a perpetual see-saw. Petra had always believed her will to be strong, but his was stronger with a dom- inanéy that hers lacked. The emotional side of his nature he held well in check, while as she was young and untried, her face was a fair index of the

varying emotions that were part of her excitable nature.

According to the usual custom, Nan went to Petra’s room to talk over the day’s doings before retiring to her own. When they were both com- fortably seated on one high chair that st.ld near

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THE ELECTRICAL KISS.

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the window, Petra said, “ How I dislike that China- man—he is so ugly and impudent.”

“Why,” replied Nan, in a tone of astonishment, “T think he is simply charming. I will admit he is ugly, but that, in my opinion, only makes him the more fascinating, and I do not see how you can think him rude; his manner pronounces him to be a perfect gentleman, and fills one with asto»ishment at what a century of civilization and education has done for the Chinese nation.”

“ Have you joined the rest in swelling the chorus of ‘Chinese civilizationers, ” asked Petra, so mourn- fully that Nan laughed merrily at her.

“ Did you see the curious specimen, the antithesis of himself, I might say, that Tisab Ting brought with him as valet? His own valet, it appears, con- tracted a fever on the day previous to the one Mr. Tisab had arranged to leave, so he started out to hunt for another, for no Chinaman of any note would travel without a servant. While out walk- ing one day, he would have been crushed to death by the falling of a chimney, had not Chipee-nee,

his present servant, rushed forward at the risk of his own life and pulled and hustled him out of the way, for, of course, he was taken by surprise and did not wish to be hurried. Tisab Ting felt as though he had been saved as it were against his

76 TISAB TING; OR,

will by Chipee-nee, and was doubly grateful. He offered Chipee a large sum of money which Chipee would not take, saying it was work he wanted, he had acted in the capacity of both cook and man- servant, his credentials being of the ‘best, Tisab Ting, out of gratitude, engaged him. Tisab Ting told me all this after a little incident, to which I was-an eye-witness.”

“Chipee-nee is a regular, typical type of an old- time Chinaman, and still wearing the cue, long, narrow goatee and queer costume of his country. He cannot speak a word of English, and his height is above that of the average Chinese. While Chipee was busy carrying his master’s belongings to their place, Eliza—who is one of the greenest weeds that ever existed, who had never heard of a Chinaman, and a pigtail was foreign to her sight— met him in the servants’ hall and gave a prolonged squeal that scared poor Chipee out of his wits, making his pigtail stand up and his eyes stick out. ‘Ye long betailed baste,’ she cried, ‘ what wid you be meddling with here, get ye out or I'll grab every bit of your tail off’ Chipee jabbered and waved his hands, which made Eliza all the more excited. She grasped his cue in hands firm and severe, but this was too much for Chipee’s equilibrium, freeing his cue, which, by the look on his face, must have

bee sho The age son certe had: clear was ed he woul shoul Chine so lon The noon, woul had af An relate

ee ie)

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 77

been a very painful job, he took Eliza by the shoulders and shook her within an inch of her life. I had been looking on at the scene from the pass- age above, but at this grand finale, I was laughing so much that I could not go to the rescue. I am certain that Eliza would have soon been no more had not Mr. Tisab Ting arrived about that time and cleared up matters. The last time I saw Eliza she was in bed anathematizing, in pure Irish, all betail- ed heathens. Had you arrived a little earlier I would have asked you tocall on her. You and she should be great friends now, you are both so anti- Chinese,” said Nan teasingly. “ What detained you so long, anyway, Petra ?”

Then Petra narrated her adventure of the after- noon, and how Jerry had rescued her from what would have been her.tomb had he gone away, as he had at first intended, to-day instead of to-morrow.

And Nan could only exclaim in surprise as Petra related her story.

CHAPTER VI.

Petra had not enjoyed unalloyed happiness since the arrival of Tisab Ting,:5¢ Chinaman. In a dim, uncertain fashion she felt that her life was changed, she herself had changed, yet the difference in her life was so undefinable that she could not under- stand it.

One morning about two weeks after Tisab Ting’s arrival, Petra, after waiting anxiously for the dis- tribution of the mail, and finding no letters for her, left the house and went in the direction of the wind-mil]. She craved solitude, and she was just beginning to experience the gloomy reflection— caused by the decreasing hope of ever receiving a reply to her several advertisements for work— that she was wanted nowhere, that there was no place in the world for her, nor any demand for the work she was capable of performing, when, stepping around the stone wall that had been built to guard the entrance to the mill, she almost fell into the arms of Tisab Ting, who was apparently admiring the structure.

“Oh! Miss Bertram, you will eventually be the 78

T!

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 79

death of me, I feel sure,” exclaimed Tisab Ting, and the laugh that accompanies this remark, causes Petra to turn and walk away from him, she did not feel equal to the encounter which followed as surely as they met. She felt as though unable to battle with the swift under-current of her life, and above all, Petra was troubled with the influence

that this man exerted over her.

Ever since the

afternoon he had found her singing in the grove, he

had persecuted her as though he

had decided to

bring out her various moods for his entertainment, without a seeming effort he could anger and enrage, and on the next occasion he would reconcile her to him. Petra felt this influence sorely, and when out of his society she disliked, nay, hated him cordially. There was one thing for which Petra was grateful. Her aunt’s displeasure when she perceived the antagonism that existed between her

guest and niece was less energetic.

As Petra, in haste to get away, walks around the mill, she is met face to face by Mr. Tisab Ting, who has evidently come around by the other side for

the purpose of meeting her thus Petra, had he not understood that

Why, thought his society was

not wanted. If she was obliged to meet him, he would find that she could stand on her own ground

and not permit herself to be twisted around his

es r aes > a

SO TISAB TING; OR,

finger at his will, as had so often occurred on pre- vious occasions,

“ Miss Bertram,” asked Tisab Ting, inquiringly, “why are youso rude to me?”

This was always the way; he was the wronged, and it was exasperating. “Rude, Mr. Tisab Ting, you are surely mistaken, I could not be rude to a guest; it is you who are rude to express such a thought,” said Petra, her face the picture of sur- prised innocence.

“Do you not call it rude to act as you did just now, turning your back upon me and walking away—but vou see fate has decided differently, I walk away in entirely the opposite direction, and we meet.”

With a slight bow and a mocking laugh, Petra replies: “So you appear in another réle, that of fate, but I do not recognize you, sir, and as such you are not mine, pray continue on your way.”

“ How do you know I am not your fate,” Tisab inquires, looking at the scornful face of his com- panion with steadfast eyes that are almost black in their intensity. 3

“How do I know ? I feel in my heart that the future could not hold such a cruel fate for me,” re- plies Petra, and in her earnestness her figure bends slightly forward.

T like tucle inst rel, decic i are € even irrita she @ I can consic looks but saying be,” “M show of it not ye the Is to re Lm | : said P fee] ee in fien¢

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 81

Tisab is about to reply to this cutting speech in like manner, but noting the weary, negligent atti- tude to which Petra’s tigure has relaxed, remarks instead, “ Cor 3, Miss Bertram,do not let us quar- rel, time will decide our fates, and therefore let us decide to be friendly for an hour or two at least.”

“It is not possible,” returns Petra, coldly, “we are either too dissimilar or too much alike to agree even for a few hours,” and her mouth assumes an irritable droop that imnakes her very charming as she continues: “ You are so very quarrelsome that I cannot agree with you, although my disposition is considered by many to be angelic.” Then Petra looks at Tisab Ting, as though expecting opposition, but none came, he bowed, and surprised her by saying, “I am sure your disposition is all it should be.”

“Miss Bertram, will you not act as cicerone and show me through the mill; I have never been inside of it yet. I have been here two weeks and have not yet inspected one of the oldest landmarks on the Island. Think of the oversight and help me to remedy it.”

“TI will show you through the mill if you wish,” said Petra, with very apparent reluctance, “but I fee] certain that we will both come out of the mill in fiendish temper, you had better get Nan or Maud

82 TISAB TING; OR,

to show you the interior, they are thoroughly post- edin all the reminiscences in connection with it, and you get on so amiably with them while in their society. They never offend against the eor- rect rules of hospitality, I do,’ she tinished ironic- ally.

“T pledge you the word of a Chinaman, if it is worth anything in your opinion, that we will leave the millas good fr’ »nds as we enter it, if not better. For I will not quarrel with you, and your angelic disposition will not permit you to quarrel with me.” This last was said with such apparent earnesvaess that Petra laughingly complied and, unlocking the door, entered the mill followed by Tisab Ting.

“Really Mr. Tisab Ting, there is nothing to be seen in the place,” said Petra.

“ Nothing to be seen,’ acquiesced Tisab Ting in a similar tone, looking round him, “ but a feeling of awe comes o’er me as I stand within its walls,and think how many secrets it must hold,”

Petra, watching him intently, lik-ns him to a kaleidoscope, for at every turn she finds him in some fresh character ; but not permitting herself to try and find the depths of what she feels sure is fathom- less, the light and shade, the personality of this Chinaman, she quickly replies,“ I too am always m pressed with some such thoughts,” and in musing

tone: and | hund who heap their said ] ing T quizzi powel that f you he remar view On in the a low also, b parent ing sce that s wards “W] moving tery to he cou

“ Ye

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 83

tones she continues, “I often find my way in here and picture for myself the busy scenes of over three hundred vearsago. The stern old Scottish miller, who persisted in having his rights; the place heape’ 1p with golden grain; the men busy at their work, the children busy at their play. But,” said Petra, waking from her retrospection and find- ing Tisab Ting’s eyes fixed upon her with that keen quizzical glance which she dreads, for it has the power to disconcert her now as much as it had on that first evening at dinner. “I must not detain you here, come up this stair, it is perfectly safe,” she remarks reassuringly, “and you will get a lovely view from the top.”

On the top Janding there was a large window cut in the side of the wall, and Petra seating herself on alowcamp stool invited Tisab Ting to be seated also, but he went over to the window and was ap- parently soon lost in admiration of the surround- ing scene. Petra, believing Tisab to be so absorbed that she is forgotten, rises,and moving quietly to- wards t) 3 stairway is about to descend.

“What, are you going?’ asks Tisab without moving. How he knew she had risen was a mys- tery to Petra, for from his position at the window he could not possibly see her.

“ Yes, I did think of going for a while, I thought

84 TISAB TING; OR,

that you were so enraptured with the landscape that I was forgotten,” replied Petra, carrying off her intended desertion with nonchalance.

Tisab Ting turned his face towards her, the strong light from the window fell full upon it, and perhaps accounted for the softened expression on his face, as he said in low tones, “ Forgotten ?—no, never by me!”

Petra was disconcerted, and to cover her confu- sion she quickly replied, ‘“ No, you are not likely to forget me, you are too true a general to forget a pitched battle or even a small skirmish.”

“ Now, now, Miss Bertram,” said Tisab Ting, re- covering hs customary manner, “we were not to recall bygones. We were to be friendly, and as I notice that personalities always seem to be the signal for strife between us, we will forget ourselves and talk on other subjects. Do you know that next to my own I like your country better than any I have ever yet visited ?”

“Indeed, I voice my country when I assure you that we are grateful. I yet expect to hear you express the wish that you had been born a Cana- dian.”

“No, never that,” promptly replied Tisab Ting, “Tam too proud of being a Chinaman, and you will know for a certainty how poor my taste when

pec. sex Tise Peti ance that brig win) 7 guag Voie like gran syste unde socie ficia civil of ré¢ who futu

ee

ou

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 85

I affirm that I am grateful that my appearance does not belie my nationality.”

“You are too patriotic,” replied Petra, in mean- ing tones.

“You should not be sarcastic, Miss Bertram, es- pecially as you and others of your fair Canadian sex have such a right to be patriotic,” answered Tisab Ting, with manner so easy and graceful that Petra was ashamed of her inuendo on his appear- ance, And in her effort to atone all the cold reserve that was but assumed fell from her, and her own bright natural self came to the surface in all its winning cordiality, frankness and non-reserve.

Tisab Ting spoke of China in such vivid lan- guage, made doubly effective by the charm of his voice, of his country and the cause of its meteor- like course towards civilized greatness, and the grand education and advantages. “Our educational system has been proved the best in the world, under Confucianism education permeated Chinese society from top to bottom,* but not with the bene- ficial result that walks hand in hand with Christian civilization. You see, we are no longer a nation of retrograde movement, we are no longer a people who think and live in the past, we now look to the future.” As he finished thus, Petra knew that his

* “The Religions of the World.” By G. M. Grant, D.D.

et

PAS eka ay

SHS

aS

86 TISAB TING; OR,

magnetic eyes were fastened upon her, and she feels the hot blushes rising and running riot over her face. How foolish she is, what will he think ?

Then with clanging, resonant sound comes the distant ringing peal of a bell. Petra hastily rises and exclaims, “Why, Mr. Tisab Ting, that is the noon-bell ringing, the past three hours have gone like nothing, we will have to hurry to be in time for luncheon,” she runs down the steps, he follow- ing more leisurely. Petra tries to lock the door, but Tisab Ting takes the key from her trembling fingers, fastens the door, hanging the key in its accustomed place. Then turning to Petra, who had recovered from her strange fit of agitation, he asked in inquiring tones, as though anxious for her opin- ion, “ Well, did not my prediction come true— do we not leave the mill good friends ?”

“Yes, but good friends for the hour and no more,’ replies Petra ungraciously. “Because I was deeply interested in his conversation of his country, he need not think I am going to be at his beck and call,” thought Petra, “or that when he decides on peace there shall be peace. Iam sorry now that | went into the old mill, and gave him the chance of drawing me out of myself ; but he was so very enter- taining and nice that I forgot to be nasty. But there is no truth in this man,” decides Petra to her-

self, tone: ings press may “T that ©y

6c S chan As Petra charn they | Tis.

of his for th feeling himsel recess¢ sessed her dis percep did not Ah, no see he some r

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 87

self, “he cannot make me believe in his varying tones of assumed sympathy, regret, and other feel- ings that he has the power to make his voice ex- press. No, he cannot impose on me, however he may on Nan and the others.”

“Ts that all?’ asks Tisab Ting, in pleading tones, that Petra distrusts so much.

“ Yes, all,” coldly replies Petra.

“So be it,” said Tisab Ting, his voice instantly changing to indifference.

As they silently pursue their way to the house, Petra decides that the old mill must hold some charm in itself, for within its walls how different they both were !

Tisab Ting’s thoughts were not of the mill, but of his silent companion. He did not need to query for the secret of the mill, for he knew, without any feeling of conceit in his own power, that it was of himself. He was probing and searching into the recesses of Petra Bertram’s character. She pos- sessed a charm for him because he could not fathom her disposition, he who prided himself on his quick perceptive powers in knowing his fellow-man. He did not care for her particularly, he assured himself. Ah, no; it pleased him to irritate or anger her, or see her face lighten with intelligent thought at some remark of his—this pleased him. Why should

88 TISAB TING, he not be pleased? He had seen women whose beauty had charmed him more. No, decidedly, he had no thoughts of love, and, try as he might, never would have for Petra Bertram.

Petra, glancing up and seeing the thoughtful expression on Tisab Ting’s face, wondered what new misery she would have to undergo for his amusement. And as on the first evening of his coming, but trusting with better success, she deter- mined to keep fron: crossing his path.

How the current of human thought rises and swells, running its swift course through the varied landscape of the mind, flowing at times to one great ocean and mingling; again running side by side with only a narrow strip between, that a mighty flood on one side or the other might sweep over. Yet too often those two rivers flow on their way, each unconscious of the other, diverging at length and losing themselves in fresh scenes far distant from each other. How would it be with Tisab Ting, the Chinaman, and Petra Bertram, the fair Canadian ?

“My as he morni for a asked, And consen “Ts j ringtor “ Ves on boa you, mé tinct gs slight f “Ta boating

know think o in & sm can oj decided if)

CHAPTER VII.

“My electric launch has arrived,” said Tisab Ting, as he and the family were seated at breakfast one morning; “will you allow me to take the ladies for a trip after luncheon, Mrs. Harrington?” he asked.

And, as Mrs. Harrington hesitates in giving her consent, Nan exclaims, “ Say yes, mother.”

“Ts it quite sae, Mr. Tisab?” inquires Mrs. Har- rington,

“Yes, quit .. <e, for [ have some excellent men on board to manage her. No danger at all I assure you, madam,” replied Tisab Ting in the slow, dis- tinct style he generally adopted, and which the slight foreign accent made more impressive.

“Tam nervous about giving my consent to this boating excursion, for I cannot believe that you know how dangerous the rapids are, when you think of ascending and descending through them ina small launch ; no, Mr. Tisab, 1 do not think I can give my consent,’ said Mrs. Harrington so decidedly, that Nan, knowing her mother’s tones 6 89

90 TISAB TING: OR,

well, was disappointed. And Petra watched with delight to see what Tisab Ting would do or say in the face of her aunt’s refusal—would he win ? “My dear madam, [ have had this boat fitted purposely for such work, and it has been running through the rapids about here for over a week, you cannot understand the power of electricity if you doubt my little pleasure boat,” said Tisab Ting implying in subtle tones an injury to himself and his that made Mrs. Harrington review her judg-

ment. “To say yes, mother, for your hesitation looks as

if you doubted Mr. Tisab’s ability to take care of us. We have known him long enough now to feel certain that he would not invite us to go where there would be the least danger,’ said Maud, at which Tisab Ting gave her a smile and a bowas he turned to Mrs. Harrington.

“Allright, you may take the girls, since you feel so confident of their safety,” said Mrs. Harrington rather unwillingly, much to Nan’s surprise, for she had never known her mother to reclaim a decision

once made. “Well, mother,” gaily said Nan, “if, as Paddy would say, we get drowned, we won't blame you: ae but we won't, for Petra is a good swimmer,” plac- ie ing her hand with loving touch on Petra’s shoul-

T you, i on sc retur “N with avoid Aft Tisab them One oO reques Was d) Lon; plang advan would tunity the im) & num|

THE ELECTRICAL KISS 9]

der; so if the boat springs a leak or sinks in a rapid wave she can save me; and, Mr. Tisab, I sup- pose you can swim?” giving Tisab Ting a bright, questioning glance.

“ Yes,” he replied.

“Then you can save Maud,” said Nan, gravely.

To which Tisab Ting as gravely replied, “ Thank you.”

“Nan, Nan,” cried her mother, “do not rattle on so or [ will have nervous prostration before you return.”

“Nan has a gruesome imagination,” said Maud, with a slight shiver. Like her mother, Maud avoided all thoughts of death.

After a month’s residence with the Harringtons, Tisab Ting had become so well acquainted with them that he was looked upon and acted quite as one of the members of the household. At his request the more formal address of Mr. Tisab Ting was dropped, and he was called Mr. Tisab.

Long before his arrival, Mrs. Harrington had all plans arranged for his entertainment and her advantage. She had decided that Mr. Tisab Ting would have one month of uninterrupted oppor- tunity of meeting Maud; then as her brilliancy in the immediate home circle was beginning to wane, a number of guests would be invited and a house

92 TISAB TING; OR,

party formed, and he would see her in a social brilliancy that Mrs. Harrington fondly believed would win him, if he had not already asked for her daughter’s hand.

Tisab Ting, with keen perception of character, understood Mrs. Harrington; saw that he was con- tinually given the opportunity of cultivating Maud’s acquaintance ; and he, pitying Maud’s posi- tion, paid her attention that Mrs. Harrington entirely misconstrued, and imaginary castles in China reared themselves in splendor.

Mrs. Harrington’s hopes were raised still higher by the intimacy, the good fellowship that existed between her youngest daughter and her guest, and the evident dislike her niece and guest entertained for one another.

Since the morning that Petra had shown Tisab Ting the old windmill, she had tried to be very cold and reserved towards him. He had not altered in his manner, and apparently, positively relished run- ning counter to her on all subjects at all times. Why he did this was a mystery to himself, unless it was that he knew he had a certain mastery over her, and that he could awaken in her the irritable

fierce undauntedness that made her a foe worthy of

his best steel. To do Tisab Ting justice, he was not aware that

he h deep stil] looke Tis thorot sympi she w solve, He was di, her dat matrim he who though him the “Ma her mor on this occurs t “Oh Maud, captivat party wd by ever 3 Suppose with us,

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, ()3}

he had the power to wound Petra as often and as deeply as he did, for he might cut and wound, but still she never owned herself worsted, and never looked for mercy.

Tisab Ting was enjoying his visit in Canada thoroughly. Maud afforded him flirtation; Nan, sympathy and comradeship ; Petra, excitement, for she was to him the riddle that was difficult to solve, the flash of steel finely tempered.

He was rather disposed to admire his hostess, but was disgusted with her as the social saleswoman of her daughters. Many would have drifted into the matrimonial trap so delicately set by her, but not he who watched the undercurrents of life and never thought a straw too small to notice if it showed to him the flow of the tide.

“Maud,” said Mrs. Harrington, looking up from her morning paper, “I think you had better not go on this excursion to-day, for Mrs. Bunder’s reception occurs this evening, and you will all be tired out.”

“Oh no, we won't, dear mamma,” sweetly replied Maud, who was anxious not to miss this chance of captivating ‘lisab Ting, for in a few days the house party vould be made up, then he would be courted by everyone. “It is now ten,’ she cogtinued, “suppose we go at eleven and take our luncheon with us, returning at three, that would give us

Po, yy GO. “O way 4 <* 6 \/ Med VW <* Re a VIM “9 ‘“¢* \ © ry Se a sl sil all =i] =) oe 4da2 Ly <0 PEL EE =] 3 ol =I) 2 ain — = EN oN » a> ® fe yw so” “D Us UW S79 © +, on IN GY les & bp N GF a, Mo “e

11 {iy

94, TISAB TING; OR,

ample time to rest before dinner, and the reception does not commence until nine.”

“Yes,” complied Mrs. Harrington, understanding her daughter’s desire for the excursion only too well, “since you will go, that will be a very nice arrange- ment,”

“Then it is all decided,” said Maud, giving Tisab Ting a bewitching glance from her dark eyes, as though to say, “this pleading was all for your sake.”

Which Tisab Ting returned with such ardour that he disconcerted even Maud’s stoical conceit.

“Mr. Tisab,” said Nan, briskly, “I have thought of the most original idea, but no,” she said regret- fully, “It is too much to ask.” 7

“ Please, Miss Nan, proceed; J would indeed be gratified to be the promoter of an original idea,” ex-

claimed Tisab Ting, looking beseechingly at Nan and speaking in exaggerated tones of earnestness that caused them all to laugh.

“Well, if you persist, Mr. Tisab,” said Nan, primly, giving him an arch glance from her bright eyes, “I would like an entirely Chinese luncheon. You have the dishes on your boat, I believe, and Chipee was a cook in China at one time. Now, don’t you think,” hesitatingly continued Nan, as she saw the enormity of her request only as she gave voice to it, and saw the astonishment depicted on the faces of those around her.

c

and will all | cook whe your honc ve) Nan, Harr dang what satiox

“

replie Tis the J going with his s] remar means Did y4q “H am wi Nan, “

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 95

“Why capital!” exclaimed Tisab Ting, going over and taking Nan’s hand and bowing low over it, “I will see Chipee immediately, he will be able to get all he recuires by eleven o'clock, and he can do ‘the cooking on board while we voyage around. And when I tell him, Miss Nan, that this luncheon was your suggestion, I feel sure he will exert himself in honor of his country’s gastronomy.”

“ Wasn't it nice of the chimney, Mr. Tisab,” sighed Nan, much to her mother’s astonishment, for Mrs. Harrington, who knew nothing about Tisab Ting’s danger and rescue by Chipee, could not understand what chimneys had to do with the present conver- sation.

“Yes, indeed, or we should have had no cook,” replied Tisab Ting.

Tisab Ting and his guests boarded his little boat, the Lapwee, sharp at eleven. They saw Chipee going down to the cabin cook-house much-laden with parcels and baskets, a white canvas bag over his shoulder, smiling so radiantly that Tisab Ting remarked to Nan, “ you have apparently been the means of bestowing much gratification on Chipee. Did you see how he was smiling ?”

“He is not any better pleased with me than I am with myself, for suggesting the idea,” answered Nan, “for everything is charming, I am sure we are

96 TISAB TING: OR,

going to have such a unique excursion that this day will ever be a memory, a red letter day to us all.”

“You are enthusiastic; Iam glad your ladyship is pleased,’ replied Tisab Ting, as he walked away to the other end of the boat with Maud, who had decided in her mind that this was to be her red let- ter day, the day that would make her the promised wife of the wealthiest man in the world, for both she and her mother believed that Tisab Ting had arranged this excursion for the express purpose of proposing to her. He had come to Canada for the purpose of getting a wife, and as yet he had paid no attentions to any ladies in Montreal except Mrs. Harrington’s daughters, and Maud felt she had good reason to hope.

The voyaging was enjoyed by all, having in it that spice of excitement that is necessary for per- fect enjoyment by youth, health, and daring spirit, for, as they ascended the rapids, the boat danced and rocked as though it were an adventurous human thing, possessed of life.

“IT am to be your girl to-day, for mother said that I must not interfere with Maud, by talking too much with Mr. Tisab,” said Nan with a quaint, sly glance from her cousin to where Tisab Ting and Maud were standing, at the far end of the boat, looking as though they were absorbed in each other and all else was forgotten by them.

e] to be not ¢

a | said ]

a ficatic

“A “Ne “W Nan, a do you incur J

Petra’s received Nobod Befo them, Petra a thought, listened he had x was qui

‘

-

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 97

“Tam satisfied,” replied Petra, “and I will try to be a true chivalrous knight, a character that is not common now-a-days.”

“T do not think chivalry has died,” dreamingly said Nan, “there is Jerry.”

“Yes,” conceded Petra, “ I think he has the quali- fications of a true knight.”

“ And,” continued Nan, “there is Mr. Tisab.”

“No he is not,” vehemently returned Petra.

“Why, Petra, I think he is simply splendid,” said Nan, and leaning towardy Petra she asked, “ why do you dislike him so much; what has he done to incur your displeasure ?”

“Nothing,” answered Petra; “unless it is that he is a Chinaman and I distrust him. Dear Nan,’ ske said, with such a sad, weary look on her face that Nan sympathetically stretched forth and took Petra’s hands in hers, “I am so unhappy, I have received no reply to my advertisements for work. Nobody wants me.”

Before Nan can reply, Tisab Ting and Maud join them. Tisab looks searchingly into the faces of Petra and Nan, as though he would fain read their thoughts. Maud issmiling complacently. Tisab had listened attentively to every word she uttered, and he had made many charming speeches to her. It was quite by accident that they had sauntered to-

98 TISAB TING; OR,

wards that part of the boat where her sister and cousin were seated, and Maud thoroughly under- stood that he could not well have passed on with- out saying a few words to then, for they were his guests as well as she, and he must not neglect them whatever his feelings might be, however great his desire to be with her alone. Poor Maud, how cha- grined she would have been could she have read this foreigner’s thoughts, and knew that her beauti- ful face, rounded figure and monotonous amiability, were far out-balanced in Tisab Ting’s opinion by her sister's charming, child-like candor and grace, or her cousin’s immutable bearing towards him—her hauteur that said more plainly than words, “ so far shall I admit you to my acquaintance, no farther.” An attitude that he who, at all times, made others act in accordance with his will—made them human puppets under the charm of his sauvity, changeful intonation and society polish— could not now con- ciliate. It was true he could rouse her to anger, but he had lost the power of winning her to forget- fulness of himself, for the Petra Tisab Ting had seen in the old mill was daily burying herself under the shadow of steadfast reserve. On Chipee appearing and announcing the readi- ness of the Chinese luncheon, preparation was made for landing on a small island that was just in sight,

On by 1 sible ed (¢ serv ther expl laug’ a dis Nan Ting How girls | body conve left t return} smilir The they each g into a WI Chipe and s radia back, §

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 99

On this island they selected a clearance surrounded by trees—which, from its appearance, the irrepres- sible Nan called the “Dellee,’ saying the name sound- ed China-like—as a place for the luncheon to be served. ‘The party, leaving Chipee to make all fur- ther arrangements, wandered off through the island, exploring all the nooks and corners, chatting and laughing,a merry consort. At first there had been a disposition on the part of the girls to separate, Nan and Petra taking one route, Maud and Tisab Ting another, but the master hand iaterfered. How it was arranged, on after thoughts, none of the girls could say; suffice it that they remained as one body under the pleasing influence of Tisab Ting’s conversation and management from the time they left the Dellee and preoccupied Chipee until they returned to partake of the feast which the now smiling Chipee was gazing on with admiration.

The girls praised Chipee’s skill as an artist, as they sat down to partake of the luncheon, one on each side of the square of stones that he had erected into a table.

When Tisab told Chipee what the ladies had said, Chipee looked gravely at them with nodding head and swinging pigtail. But his face broke into a radiant smile when his master, patting him on the back, gave him a few words of commendation.

100 TISAB TING; OR,

The luncheon went merrily.

“ What lovely cakes!” cried Nan, who was fond of sweets, “ what are they called, Mr. Tisab ?”

“ They are the favorite cake of the Chinese ladies,” replied he.

“Cakes!” exclaimed Maud, “just have some of this dish, it is delicious; it seems to be spice and meat mixed up, and tastes splendid. I must get the reeipe from Chipee and give it to our cook. What is it called, Mr. Tisab 2?”

“T do not know, for I have not partaken of it yet,” answered Tisab. Maud passed the dish. Petra, who had been rather silent during the meal, laugh- ingly said, “I must have some for it must surely be worth eating since Maud has praised it. Maud is such an epicure.”

“To be in the fashion, I will leave off eating cakes and have some too,’ said Nan.

Much merriment was caused by Tisab Ting being unable to name thedish, which they had unanimously decided was the best they had ever tasted. Tisab Ting called to Chipee to enlighten them. “ Impos- sible!” exclaimed Tisab, considerable concern depict- ed on his face, and turning to the guests he said, “ Chipee says you are eating fricasséed white dog, but he must be mistaken,” he reassuringly said, as he saw a peculiar look on the faces of his company,

the ore: peo get G his 1 the hers and Gin] dear Gink Pe man wher Tis manda of th in tr has when Chine “G

its

answe prepa Sou

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 101

then he went on to explain: “In China one of the greatest delicacies of food amongst the less civilized people, is a small white dog, but Chipee could not get any such article of food in this country.”

Great was Tisab’s dismay on saying this, to find his guests suffering the most intense agony. Maud, the epicure, had apparently fainted. Nan rocked herself back and forth, tears raining down her face and gasping between her sobs, “Ginkee! poor, poor Ginkee! I wonder if I had his ear ?—oh dear, oh dear!—it tasted so good I might have known it was Ginkee.”

Petra ran to Tisab and, shaking that astonished man by the arm, said, “Find out from your man where he got the stuff to make what we had to eat.”

Tisab questioned Chipee, who after a sharp repri- mand from Tisab looked as woebegone as the rest of the party, andsaid to Petra, “I fear my servant, in trying to carry out my orders to the fullest extent, has made a tremendous blunder. It seems that when he came from the house he saw a white Chinese dog.”

‘“Ginkee,” groaned Nan.

“ He thought the good God had sent it to him in answer to his prayer, so he, ked it up, killed and prepared it and we have eat’: ', y:imly said Tisab. Sounds of grief once more resounded. Nan wept

102 TISAB TING; OR,

more copiously for the eaten departed, as she whis- pered to herself, “ Did I eat you, poor Ginkee? never mind, good dog, we all thought you as nice as ever you were, even if you were mixed up with spice.”

Maud cried quietly behind her handkerchief that her tears might not cause her eyes to swell.

Petra stared vacantly before her.

Chipee was reeking vengeance on himself by energetically pulling his pigtail, while Tisab was inspecting the spiced remains of Ginkee with the helpless expression on his face that comes to men in the presence of weeping women.

“ Miss Bertram, please explain the matter to me,” at last implored Tisab Ting.

“Ginkee was aunt’s pet dog of Uhinese breed,” answered Petra; “we all loved him dearly. He has been to the veterinary’s for the past six weeks, that is why you have not seen him; but he came home this morning in good health.”

“Yes,” said Nan in thrilling whispers, speaking as it were to the spiced departed, “ Maud the epi- curean knew you were in good health,” then taking up her first cry, she continued, “Oh, dear! I wish you hadn't tasted so good, then we would not have eaten you.” With that, Nan stretched forth her hand and grasped a paper bag that the wind was hurrying away, and leaning forward and seizing the

qui thre men T retu care! com witl that could A retur fate 9 disgu daug sequ $

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 103

fricasséed dog, she gently placed the remains in the paper bag, and, rolling it up, mournfully said, “ We will bury the balance of poor Ginkee in the garden where he used to love to sit,” and she gave a sigh as she doubtless thought that this should be some recompense.

Never in human memory had a dog such a re- quiem sung for him as that which now echoed through the trees. And never within ‘Tisab’s memory had he entertained so fatally.

The picnic party that had started out so joyously returned in funeral gloom. Nan, who had been carefully wrapped up by Tisab and seated on a comfortable deck-chair, looked from time to time with sad, tear-dimmed eyes at the little paper parcel that Jay in her lap, and which all Tisab’s persuasion could not make her part with.

Another thrilling scene was enacted when on the return of the party Mrs. Harrington learned of the fate of the family pet, and inquirers for Ginkee were disgusted when told by Mrs. Harrington that “my daughter ate him.’ But when they learned the sequel, their disgust was turned to sympathy.

CHAPTER VIII.

in Mrs, Bunder’s recep''on rooms are to be seen the distinguished of Montreal. And what a varied human sample room they present. The different grades of society, the professions, legal, theological, scientific and medical, the votaries of music, liter- ature and art, representatives are here of the vari- ous political departments of the country. “ Fair women and brave men,’ a splendid pageant of a country’s greatness.

Mrs, Bunder is a society woman, an intellectual woman and an excellent hostess, and those who are bidden to attend her gatherings are envied by the less favored.

When Mrs. Hazrington and party enter the re- ception room they are welcomed cordially by the host and hostess, and presented to the American guests, Mr. Spinker, President of the United States, and his wife, also to several gentlemen, “ Yankee politicians,” Nan calls them.

Tisab Ting is presented to many more people, and

finds a Jarge number in the crowd with whom he is 104

alre Mor Can J idly close nest] cal g sight be ba assert the a: robed sight able t where throug receiv the ch by his

chair at her honeye which beat m sorbed robed f

is

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 105

already acquainted, for he has been lionized by Montreal’s “four hundred” since his arrival in Canada.

Just before supper Tisab Ting is standing alone idly watching the animated scene. Nan passes close to where he stands, but she is talking so ear- nestly to her companion, Amon Allen, a young medi- cal student, that she does not notice Tisab. At sight of Nan a feeling of restlessness that will not be banished even by the force of his strong will asserts itself. Tisab Ting now looks eagerly over the assemblage in search ofa slight, graceful, white- robed tigure that for some time past he has lost sight of. Where can she be? Then, not being able to find the object for which he is seeking from where he stands, he goes in search of her; passing through the crowd, stopping to speak to one, then recelving an introduction to another, remaining by the chair of some elderly lady, winning her regard by his pleasing manner, again bending over the chair of some society belle, and feigning a delight at her speedy recognition of himself, speaking some honeyed, flattering words in soft, wooing voice which makes that socially seared organ, her heart, beat more quickly. Yet all the while Tisab is ab- sorbed by one thought. A slight, graceful, white-

robed figure, and as he nears a merry party, grouped 7 °

106 TISAB TING: OR,

as though gathered round one central figure, Tisab Ting knows that he has found the object of his search, when he hears a voice whose accents he lis- tens to with eagerness.

“ Both my cousins and myself feel as though we had partaken of one of our dearest friends, in fact, we feel quite cannibalistic.” As Petra makes this remark, Amon Allen sentimentally murmurs, “I would I were a dog,” then, seeing Tisab Ting stand- ing near, exclaims, “Come in Mr. Tisab Ting, come in to the charmed circle”; but Tisab Ting is near enough for his purpose, he can see Petra Bertram, he can hear her voice, so he smilingly shakes his head to Amon’s invitation, and turns to converse with Mr. Ray; then the merry party, whom Petra has evidently been entertaining with a version of the luncheon, dispersed. Amon Allen escorts Petra to where Mrs. Bunder is standing talking to a dis- tinguished-looking gentleman, whose young face, set in a mass of wavy white hair, worn rather long, gives him a very remarkable appearance. This gentleman welcomed Petra with delight, then giv- ing her his arm, they leave the room, and once more the dainty, white-robed figure is blotted from Tisab’s sight, but not from his memory. Tisab Ting is entirely out of patience with himself. Why had he all that evening so persistently thought of

Pet bea SO ¢ mus min ister cross to in Petr: an word for tl melec sound Seatec holdi eur o caused from ¢ of Pet trium; not heg ig absq riveted statue Petra nf song a

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 107

Petra Bertram; there were present women more beautiful than she, in richer dress, who would, if he so desired, be very agreeable with him. But no, he must continually think .of this woman. He deter- mined to maste 1s thoughts of her, forget her ex- istence, then in -e face of this resolution he crossed the room » where Mrs. Bunder was seated, to inquire the nane of the man who had escorted Petra from the room. “Mrs. Bunder, will you,’—but Tisab Ting’s words are arrested, his question is never finished, for through the room has floated such exquisite melody that he turns to find out from whence the sound proceeds. The white-haired gentleman is seated at the piano, Petra is standing near him holding a sheet of music in her hand. The grand- eur of the music, the prelude to the song, has caused the buzz of conversation to cease, then, out from the softer swell of the music rings the voice of Petra Bertram. It echoes, it sobs, it swells in triumphant sweetness round Tisab Ting, who does not hear the words of the song, as his every thought is absorbed in the singer. He stands with gaze riveted upon her, and he feels as though he were a statue without sense or feeling. As he stands thus, Petra meets his glance, and the memory of another song and another evening scene returns to her re-

108 TISAB TING; OR,

membrance, and once again she hears a voice say, ‘You will sing again, and when you sing remember you are singing for me and me alone.” Was she doing this? For the words of the tender love song ring out clear and with such passionate feeling, that the coldest heart in that assemblage throbbed quicker in response.

One heart there was throbbed to madness with the flood of new-born emotion. Sending the blood coursing through his veins, scurching his brain, eras- ing surrounding objects and leaving but one figure, Petra Bertram. A woman of peculiar character, broad and deep-thinking in her views, sensitive and full of harmony.

The song finished, Petra bowed her acknowled, ment to the applause.

Tisab Ting understands himself now, he has found the secret of his restiessness. The blood still surges through his being, beating into his ears the words, “ You love her, you love her; you need never again question why she reigns so entirely in your thoughts. You love her, you love her,” until he feels that those around him can hear the words also. Then excusing himself to Mrs. Bunder, he goes to where Petras standing surrounded by the many who are congratulating her on the charm of her singing.

& Ting her reme 4 ness, wonc smili and t remat ~&D~) is due Ha cool, i could under and i Cou bitter] what 3 has be been a gard hg ently e “ Ho knoek

see me

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 109

“ Accept my thanks, Miss Bertram,” said Tisab Ting, holding out his hand ; then, looking at her as her hand lay in his, he softly asked, “ Did you remember ? ”

“Yes,” replied Petra, with disconcerting prompt- ness, “and allow me to congratulate you on your wonderful magnetic power.” This she said with smiling ease, as she withdrew her hand from his and turned to reply to some other complimentary remark on her singing.

- “Do not praise my singing, Mr. Allen ; your praise is due to Mr. Nareau, whose music compels music.”

Had Petra tried to wound Tisab Ting by her cool, indifferent, smiling reply to his question, she could not have succeeded better. He was sinarting under the intensity of his feeling, she was calm and indifferent.

Could she have but known it, thought Tisab Ting, bitterly, how sweet it would have been to her— what a revenge for his treatment of her! Luck has been against me on this occasion, and I have been against myself; for I could have won her re- gard had I tried from the first, now I have appar- ently even lost her dislike. J have a hard battle.

“ How do you do, sir? ”said Nan; “ you need not knock me over, I am not a fairy that you cannot see me; in fact, I feel quite substantial, for I have

110 TISAB TING.

just had supper ; but, what is the matter with you ? You look as though you had seen a ghost or received a shock.”

“T have both seen a ghost and received a shock, an electric shock, and J will give one in return if all else fails,” said Tisab Ting, more to himself than to his surprised companion.

“Come and have some supper, then you will feel better,” said Nan, soothingly, supposing that some one had ruffled him about his nationality.

“You are very kind to me, Miss Nan,” replied Tisab Ting ; then, after a short silence, he continued, “ You will always be my friend, won’t you?”

Tisab Ting was so changed in mood and manner, so different from the man she had met during the past month, that Nan wondered what could have happened, as she brightly replied to his question, “ Yes, I will always stand your friend.”

After this assurance Tisab Ting resumed his usual manner, and only one girl, a girl of ideal thoughts and quaint humors, amongst that gather- ed throng, knew that Tisab Ting—the Chinaman, the man whose wealth, courtly, polished manner, and educated brilliancy of thought formed a large part of the conversation of the evening—was other than he appeared, and Nan recognized the know- ledge but dimly.

THE was press coml tial p menu ing m with fashic pose All grega ing a were the p to be ¢ ful, th “W to sho sketch bled oy

CHAPTER IX.

THE morning-room at Mrs. Harrington’s residence was a large, plainly-furnished apartment, which im- pressed one with the idea of comfort and business combined. Upon a writing-desk of very substan- tial proportions were piled household account books, menu lists, invitation sheets, and innumerable writ- ing materials. The three-cornered table was strewn with the current literature of the day. The old- fashioned lounge and arm-chairs seemed to hold re- pose in their depths.

All the members of the family were wont to con- gregate in this room for a short while every morn- ing after breakfast ; all doings of the previous day were discussed within its walls; all proceedings of the present day arranged. Do not judge this room to be dull or commonplace ; it was bright and cheer- ful, the living room of a living people.

“Where did you put that list, mother? I waut to show it to Mr. Tisab, and give him a character sketch of each individual,” said Nan, as she tum- bled over the papers on the desk.

“Do you want the names of the guests who will 111

112 TISAB TING: OR,

arrive to-morrow ?” asked her mother, looking up from her writing.

“ Yes,” replied Nan, turning over the papers and prosecuting her search so vigoreusly that a bottle of ink was upset over a box of paper in her ener- getic career. ‘Then she tried to stay the damage by wiping up the ink with a very handsome tea- cover that Maud had just completed and leit on the desk for her mother to admire. And to Mrs, Harrington’s exclamation of dismay, Nan replied, that “the inky floods must be stayed at all cost.”

At last all moist traces of the ink are removed, and Nan, looking at the once dainty tea cloth, her inky fingers, and the pile of ruined stationery, ex- claims, in a conciliatory tone, “ Well, I never saw ink go so far before; did you, mother ?”

“T never saw ink do otherwise than just what it has done under like circumstances,” precisely an- swered Mrs. Harrington. “Here is the list, Nan,” severely continued her mother; “had you asked for it at first, all this,” glancing at her inky daugh- ter and inkier desk, “ would have been avoided. You have a ready-enough tongue on most occa- sions.”

“Thanks,” meekly said Nan, taking the list and

the lecture, and seating herself at the table near Tisab Ting, placing the list in front of him.

“

trea like as tl

6 4

‘Tisa ba strai, parti and |} alike tions] alwa She i can fe brisk fully fully shake in lov attituc body i sitting at her, ing, “nN

“No

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 113

“Two, four, five non-Montrealers, and five Mon- trealers; ten in all,” counted Nan.

“Will we take them as they come, or would you like to hear about the ladies first ?” inquired Nan, as though eager for the work.

‘No, just take them as they come,’ returned Tisab Ting.

“Well,” said Nan, deliberately, sitting up very straight and assuming the appearance of an im- partial judge, “I will first introduce Miss Eva Arber and her brother Americans, The Arbers are much alike in appearance, and could not deny their rela- tionship. Eva is slight and dark, very energetic, always into mischief or getting some one else there. She is a pleasing, bright, agreeable type of Ameri- can femininity. I like her, and you will like her,” briskly said Nan. “A-bra-ham Lincoln Arber (fear- fully patriotic over there in the States),” mourn- fully mutters Nan, giving her head a funny little shake as she drawls out the name “ Abraham,” “ is in love with himself; he always assumes some such attitude as this,” explains Nan, as she twists her body in such a ludicrous manner that Petra, who is sitting close by, and Tisab Ting laugh unrestrainedly at her, while Mrs. Harrington gives an expostulat- ing, “Nan, Nan, do not ridicule our friends,”

“No, no, dear mother, not that ; I was merely, for

114 TISAB TING; OR,

brevity’s sake, imitating Mr. Arber,” quickly repli- ed Nan. Then, turning to Tisab Ting, continues, “ He is rich, but I don’t like him. Maud does, but I ani quite sure you will not.”

Nan then occupies a few moments in studying her list, as though looking for an inspiration.

“You have not finished, have you, Miss Nan?” asks Tisab Ting.

“No, but the next is rather a hard one; Miss Mary Conkie, of Ottawa, not nice-looking, no gain- saying that,’ meditatively said Nan; “ but,” enthu- siastically, “she is clever and the dearest girl I ever met. She has the strangest nose. On any one’s face but her own it would look all right, I am sure. I love her; everyone does who is good and honest ; I am sure you will. Did I mention that Miss Conkie’s mother was also coming?” asked Nan, looking at Tisab Ting in an abstracted manner.

“ No, not yet,” answered Tisab Ting.

“ Well, she is of no account, anyway; I donot see how she ever happened to be Mary’s mother, but nature’s freaks are unaccountable,” said Nan, as she rubbed her nose reflectively with her inky fingers, thereby leaving her nasal organ a perfect study in black and white. “ But I must continue: Mr. Ralph Strathmore, of Toronto, Artist, fine look- ing, dark-as-night mustache,” drawing her black

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 115

fingers with much effect across her upper lip, “agreat admirer of—of—always wanting to draw Petra’s picture,” this last said in such a low tone that Tisab Ting alone heard it, and drew his own conclusions, as his eyes followed Petra when she crossed the room to speak to her aunt.

“The Montrealers are Archie Bunder—I need not describe him—the Misses Prudent, twins, Dr. Pru- dent’s daughters, common-place and ordinary, the very salt of the earth are they; Mr. Noreau; the gentleman with the long, white hair, who played Petra’s accompaniment at Mrs. Bunder’s, you re- member him, do you not, Mr. Tisab ? He is coming. And last, but not least in his own estimation, is Mr. Allen, to whom mother has given liberty to come whenever he can steal time from his college duties.. Now that is all, and a very good party ; do you not think so, Mr. Tisab ?”

‘ Yes, Miss Nan, and I pronounce you a genius at mental picturing. I see them all, all except Miss Conkie’s nose.” But Tisab did not continue and tell Nan that he saw one in particular, a man whose appearance must in every respect differ from his. Mr. Strathmore, who by his fairy art could repro- duce the eve. changing attitudes and expressions; and the charms of the one woman whom Tisab row loved with a tenderness, a passion that surprised

116 TISAB TING: OR,

himself, knowing his own cold, deliberate, analytic nature as he did.

‘Mr. Tisab,” said Nan, rising from her chair, “ if we are going for that walk, we had better start. Do you want any orders executed mother ?—for Mr. Tisab and I are going to walk from one end of St. Catharine street to the other for the purpose of scrutinizing the various specimens of the human fly.”

“No, my dear,” replied her mother. “ Mr. Tisab, you must not allow my impetuous daughter to en- croach too much on your good-nature.”

After Nan and Tisab Ting had left the room, Mrs. Harrington turned to Petra and asked, “ Do you understand that ?”

“No,” Petra replied.

“Then you do not think he is in love with Nan?”

“No, for I do not think Tisab Ting capable of love; I think he simply likes Nan’s youthful charmingly-candid manner.”

“T would prefer that his choice would be Maud, but still I would not object to him as a son-in-law in any instance,’ thoughtfully said Mrs, Har- rington.

Petra hastened from the room; how she hated her aunt’s miserable manner of looking after the future of her daughters.

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 117

Tisab and Nan pursued their way along the busy thoroughfare, a street crowded with a busy, rushing people, the workers of the city, for it was just noon, and office and workshop poured forth their human machines in a continuous stream ; men and women in such variety that the brain reeled under the thought, “These are the sons and the daughters of one Adam.”

“Nan’s gaiety flowed, like the people, unceas- ingly, until suddenly she noticed the unusual silence and preoccupied manner of her companion,

“ What is the matter, Mr. Tisab; you have not been your usual self since the reception at Mrs, Bunder’s; perhaps if you spoke of your trouble you would feel better, I know I always do. Did any- one tread on your national corns?” said Nan, rather shyly.

“ Did you ever have anything to worry you seri- ously ?” inquired Tisab Ting.

“ Yes,” soberly answered Nan.

“YT am sorry to know that,’ gently said Tisab Ting, “for I feel that you should go through the world free from care.”

“Yes, others have said such words to me also, as though I were an irresponsible child, but I am not. I feel, I think, deeper than those around me imagine. ] saw you were changed at Mrs. Bunder’s, and since

118 TISAB TING: OR,

then also; none of the others have noticed this Tis change, | am sure, but,’ she continued, looking he kindly into his face, which looked very ugly under Mr the rays of the glaring autumn sunlight, “I am occe

your friend, and if I can be of any service to you,

bide command me.” Can i} (3 “T would like to tell you the cause of my mental wou Aa disturbance; perhaps, then, it would cease beating neve ARS itself into my brain, until I look round in fear to neve ih Hk see if others have heard and read my secret,” said my | _ Tisab Ting. his d i} “I do not want you to tell me of your trouble, I wo et then regret your confidence, for I want to help you sivel) eS all I can,” said Nan. marr 1 i “No, I will not regret my confidence, of that I could aan, am sure; but come, let us take this car, and go up lady,” i et to the Mountain Park ; there I will have a chance At es to speak to you more freely.” a star ee On reaching the Park, Tisab Ting plunged im- dislikg i ne mediately into the subject nearest to his heart. “M a : ‘ “First, let me tell you, Miss Nan, that my he hag ie motive in confiding in you is partly selfish ; I want to per your advice, your assistance.” your ¢¢ Nan merely nodded her head; by this time she nation had become curious to know what could bother this this de¢ man, who at all times had looked so sufficient unto coming

himself; she had not an inkling of the reason of “ Ha

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 119

Tisab Ting’s frequent lapses into abstraction, when he had been with her alone since the evening of Mrs. Bunder’s reception, or his perturbation on this occasion.

“You partly know the reason of my coming to Canaca.” If Tisab Ting had said this to Maud, she would have expected a proposal to follow. Nan never thought of such a thing. “But I would never have come on such an errand as set forth in my letter to your mother, had not my father, on his death-bed, made me sole\nly vow to him that I would come.” Tisab Ting said this so impres- sively that Nan shivered in the warm sun; “and marry your cousin, Petra Bertram; or, providing I could not win her consent, some other Canadian lady.”

At the mention of her cousin’s name, Nan gives a start of surprise, saying, “It is well that Petra dislikes you so much, since yu dislike her.”

“My father,” continued Tisab Ting, as though he had not heard Nan’s remark, “ made me promise to perform a more difficult duty, that of telling your cousin the secret of her father’s death. Our

nation has always been regarded as the most filial ;

this deeply-rovud filial affection has to do with my coming to Canada.” “Have you told Petra about her father yet? I

ee as ee a ee See — ~ a > > Se

SS eee

st RET ES

PETE EEE

120 TISAB TING; OR,

know she is wearying to know, although she never speaks of it to anyone,’ inquired Nan.

“No, not yet, I was about to tell her when I found out another secret,” replied Tisab Ting.

Nan mentally braced herself, as her imagination from dealing with the secret of Petra’s father was hurried to the secret last mentioned. What was this strange foreigner, whom she liked yet did not understand, about to divulge to her; but her nerves returned to their natural tension when he continued more smoothly :

“From the first there existed between your cousin and me an antipathy, she seemingly on the defensive. I came with every intention of making your cousin hate me so that she would not marry me, even for my wealth. I said to myself, I will do as my father wished, I will ask Petra Bertram to marry me, and it is no fault of mine if I do not succeed. I am of an interrogative disposition. If I meet a peculiar character which I am unable to frthom, I exert every faculty in my power to gauge the unknown depths. Good God!” groaned Tisab Ting, “how fatally my inquisitive deviltry has proved, I alone can feel.”

Nan was speechless, she was completely magnet- ized by Tisab Ting’s peculiar versatility, that ranged up and down the scale of human expression so rapidly that she could not follow.

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 121

“T worried your cousin until her cold politeness turned to aversion, and from aversion to hatred, and from that to distrust and indifference which I fear I can never overcome,’ and as Tisab Ting con- tinued, he spoke as though he had forgotten Nan’s presence, “but now I love her to madness—mad- ness,” he reiterated, “ because I have made her hate me. You saw me at Mrs. Bundev’s,”’ asked Tisab Ting, looking straight into Nan’s face for the first time since he had began to speak.

Nan nodded her head mechanically, utterly non- plussed with the knowledge that Tisab Ting had grown to love her cousin. “It was there I first found out the truth, the depth of my love, the folly of it.’ The tones in which he utters this, from pathetic abandon to unresigned misery, fill Nan with a pity for him which he immediately per- ceives and resents. “ Do not pity me,” he instantly said, in commanding tones; “ you are acquainted with your cousin’s disposition, teil me how to act to win even her toleration.”

“T cannot,” childishly replied Nan, as she grasp- ed the fulness of his command. “I love Petra, Petra loves me, and that’s all I know about her.”

“What! can you not help me after all?” said Tisab Ting.

“T fear I cannot aid you as you would wish, but I s

122 TISAB TING; OR,

believe that, could you but overcome Petra’s avoid- | ci ance of you, her distrust of your truth, then you al could win her love,” positively said Nan. fo

“But how can I do this?” earnestly inquired W Tisab Ting, the man of years and of wisdom, who T; prided himself on his knowledge of the world, re; from the child in years of experience and worldly : tio wisdom—a child in all but womanly intuitive me power. ‘

“You could try ‘> do it,” slowly replied Nan, Tir “by never wounding Petra’s sensitive nature as you int have so frequently and with such apparent delight | saic done in the past. By using with less effect the yf.

harmonious intonations of your voice. I firmly believe that your voice is your worst enemy. Why,” said Nan shyly, “I was distrustful of you when I saw how you twisted »eople round your finger as it were by the strange power of your changing tones ; but your kindness to me dispelled all dis- trust, and I grew to know you for what I now be- lieve you to be, a true, honorable gentleman.” “Your kind words do me good. I will follow out your instructions for a couple of weeks at least, and will hope and trust for success,” said Tisab Ting. After a short silence, he continued, “ Then if all else fails, I will try the electrical theory, one of my father’s latest discoveries, the theory of re-

THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 123

ciprocal attection. But not until I have exhausted all other means of winning Petra Bertram’s love, for after the ineffectual use of this theory, all else will prove useless.” Nan looked in awe at Tisab Ting as he said this, but asked no questions with regard to the speech, and he vouched no explana- tion, so the words were soon blotted from Nan’s memory.

“T think we had better return now,” said Tisab Ting, rousing himself from the gloomy meditation into which he had fallen, “and begin our siege,” he said, assuming a more cheerful manner.

As they hurry forward to catch a car which is speeding along in their direction, Tisab Ting re- marks, “I am so grateful for your kind friendship this morning, I am learning many new lessons in this country.”

CHAPTER X.

A WEEK had elapsed since the morning when Tisab Ting had confided in Nan. Vainly had he sought to conciliate Petra, and blot from her remembrance all the past since his arrival; but the walls that were so easily built were hard to break down, for nuw Petra believed that Tisab Ting was exercising another tone, and the uncertainty of his peculiar voice intimated to her that this was another man- ner of entertaining himself—another form of the critical amusement that her presence afforded. So Petra maintained the same coldly-reserved unap- proachable manner towards him that she had assum- ed for some time past, remaining in his society as little as possible, for she was weary of him, nauseated with the laudation she heard of him on every side. Would the days of his visit never come to a close, or a reply to her advertisement reach her that would carry her far fron. sight of him ? Petra naturally enjoyed society, and would have been the foremost spirit in the party now assem-

bled at Mrs. Harrington’s, but her mirth was al- 124

»

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 125

ways dampened by the proximity of Tisab Ting, although when he was absent she was all viva- ciousness. Those around noticed her changeful dis- position, but never construed it to the coming anid going of Tisab Ting, the Chinaman. Tisab knew it and ground his teeth in impotent rage, but per- sisted in his course of reconciliation, which he con- ducted so unobtrusively that Mrs. Harrington, who was much occupied with her position as hostess ; and Maud, who, in conceit of the superiority of her own charms, did not dream of a star other than herself shining in the firmament of Tisab Ting’s thoughts, did not notice any change in Tisab’s con- duct to Petra. The house-party which was now assembled knew no difference; but Petra did, and it caused her great annoyance.

Tisab Ting was all kindness and consideration for Petra, rendering little acts of service in a courtly manner that belonged so entirely to him. Under different circumstances they would have been grate- ful to her, and even as it was, she thought more kindly of him during the first week of the house- party than she had done during all the subsequent weeks since his arrival.

In honor of her guest, Mrs. Harrington had ar- ranged a series of three grand social entertainments to take place during the three weeks of the house-

126 TISAB TING: OR,

party. Although the weather was very warm, Mrs, Hariington decided to give a ball in the first week, believing that this style of entertainment would the most impress Tisab Ting, bringing to his notice the créme de la créme of Montreal society, who would flock to her house at her request, the magnificence that could be displayed on such oceasion ; and last, yet first in her consideration, the setting such a gathering would afford for bringing before this Chinaman’s notice the beauty, the social endowments of her daughters, more especially those of Maud, for it was immaterial to Mrs. Harrington which of her daughters this wealthy Chinaman chose for his Canadian wife.

Tisab Ting, discerning this accurately, often puz- zled Mrs. Harrington, making her doubt the ad- visability of the house-party, by paying iiss Arber most ardent attention ; apparently hanging on every word the American’s vivacious tongue uttered ; or again talking to one of the Misses Prudent as though she alone was the one person in Canada who was worth conversing with. How chagrined Mrs. Harrington would have been, could she have with- drawn the curtain of society manners and looked into the deep depths of this man’s thoughts, and seen there the possessive desire for her niece 07:t- lined against all the varying change in his thoughts and words.

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 127

“One would hardly imagine that this quiet, peaceful house will soon be the scene of so much animation, said Miss Arber, on the morning of the day of the ball.

“It is a wonder to me,” said Miss Conkie, giving her hostess a flattering glance, ‘“‘ how Mrs. Harring- ton manages to entertain so largely this evening without the usual preliminary confusion.”

“T propose,” said Miss Arber, “since Mrs. Har- rington has refused all our offers of assistance, that we all take ourselves off to the grove and remain there until dinner time. It will be nice and cool in that spot, and we can take our books and work and havea lovely time. Would that arrangemen be agreeable to you, Mrs. Harrington ?”

“ Rather ask the others,” similingly replied Mrs Harrington, “ for anything that will be pleasant to them, will be satisfactory to me.”

“Well,” dramatically said Eva Arber, rising from the luncheon table, “is it to be together we grove, or divided we scatter? Pass your vote, ladies and gentlemen.”

On the unanimous assent for the grove, the ladies hurried away to get their work or books, and the gentlemen went out to the hall to await their retnrn.

As Petra crossed the hall, she was detained by

128 TISAB TING: OR,

Tisab Ting, who asked, “You are coming, are you not, Miss Bertram ?”

“ Not immediately, I will not be over at the grove for an hour,” replied Petra,

“Perhaps when you come you will fulfil your long-neglected promise to tell me the legend of the ‘Dancing Rock,” said Tisab Ting, in eager, plead- ing tones.

“T hardly think the opportunity will afford itself for much legend telling to-day,’ coldly replied Petra, “for, I have several duties to perform for aunt, and then I have promised Mr. Strathmore that I would give him all my unoccupied time this afternoon, as he wishes to sketch Eva Arber and me together, and as Eva is quite enthusiastic over the arrangement, I could not disappoint her.”

“Or Mr. Strathmore either,’ said Tisab Ting, a slight sarcastic smile curving his lips.

“No,nor Mr. Strathmore,’ complied Petra, as she hastens away.

At times, Tisab Ting believed that Petra must know the secret of his changed demeanor, and that she was avenging herself for all his past conduct towards her. And then again he would decide that she was quite unconscious of his love for her. He could not decide which he perferred, the former thought or the latter.

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THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 129

Tisab Ting had discovered a latent characteristic within him, one that had lain so dormant during the past years of his life that he had no know- ledge of its possession. He was jealous, passionate- ly jealous, of Petra Bertram’s friendship for Mr. Strathmore, the artist.

The ladies appearing, a general move was made for the grove. Eva, from love of mischief, carried off Archie Bunder, who, noticing that Tisab Ting did not attend any of the other ladies, decided that he was waiting for Maud. Nan was taken possession of by Mr. Strathmore. Miss Conkie sallied forth arguing some point of difference with Mr. Nareau. The twin Misses Prudent, inseparable at all times, walked away, one on each side of Mr. Arber, who did not look particularly elated over his portion. Mrs. Conkie had been unable to attend tle house- party.

Tisab Ting had remained just where Petra had left him, at the foot of the staircase, and had every appearance of one anxiously waiting. So Maud decided, her little mouse-like mouth widening into a smile of gratification as she saw him.

“How kind of you to wait for me. I was de- tained by my maid,” she said.

“Kind to myself,” he instantly replied. And as they went their way towards the grove, this versa-

130 TISAB TING: OR,

tile man cf the world talked and laughed with his companion as though he had not another thought but of her. He begged for two dances, and after she had told him what her gown would be like for that evening, he drew a beautiful verbal picture of what she would be like. How she would win hearts with her beauty, her grace. In fact, Tisab Ting spread for her delectation a perfect banquet of adulating flattery.

On arriving at the grove, Tisab Ting exclaimed : “What a perfectly picturesque scene!” The party had chosen a pretty, shady spot. The ladies were seated on the colored rugs the gentlemen had thoughtfully brought with them. The gentlemen had thrown themselves in negligent attitudes on the ground. All were busily engaged, the ladies making pretensions to work, their escorts entertain- ing them. All were laughing and jesting.

Tisab Ting spread the rug he carried and request- ed Maud to be seated; he then threw himself on the ground beside her, and drew a book from his pocket. “ Will you not read to me, Miss Harring- ton ? Your voice is so perfect that I am sure you read well.” Tisab Ting felt as though he could not tolerate Maud’s aimless inanities longer, and, as she read in low tones the story of “ Priscilla, the Puritan Maiden,” he was thinking, thinking with thoughts

not and rhyr both but ] of he was cheer place: ae | nothi ful to: My es the he would itt T Miss ( love g lazines of hea “Ve; intende ing to “T could h look of it is so

THE ELECTRICAL KIss, 131

not of the reader or the reading of the idyl of man i and maid. Maud might have continued reading a rhyme to Tisab Ting’s thoughts until dinner, and both reader and thinker would have been satisfied ; but Eva Arber was beginning to get rather weary of her game; while Archie had remained sulky it was not so bad, but now that he was becoming cheerful, she became gloomy. Noting Maud’s com- placency, she decided it was time to interfere. “I am both lazy and tired, yet I have done nothing since I came here,” said Eva Arber in fret- ful tones ; “when I saw that you desired to become my escort to the grove, Mr. Bunder, I left my book in the hall, under the erroneous impression that you would prove so entertaining that I would not require it. There are the Misses Prudent with their work ; Miss Conkie with her discussion; Maud with her love story and even Nan, my usual coadjutor in laziness, is trying to learn to sketzh. Are you fond of hearing anyone read?” she sweetly asked. “Yes, very !” eagerly replied Archie, thinking she intended going towhere Maud was seated and listen- ing to her reading. “T will read to you,” she heroically replied, and could have laughed merrily at Archie’s ill-concealed i look of digust. “I believe I am sitting on a book, ie it is so awfully unseatable,” but rising, she discover-

132 TISAB TING: OR,

ed the source of her discomfort to be a drawing block that Mr. Strathmore had searched in vain for not long since. “Oh! I am sorry, Mr. Bunder, but since I have raised your hopes, only to dash them once again, suppose we go over to where Miss Harrington is seated, and then we can get the benefit of her reading, I am sure she would not mind.”

“All right,” complied Archie, with so much alacrity that Eva nearly decides to remain as she is: but Maud’s peace is too much for her.

After considerable trouble, for on the way to where Maud is seated Eva steps on Miss Audo Prudent’s silks and, in trying to rescue the silks, puts her foot in Miss Lulu Prudent’s hat, bringing destruction to both silk and hat, dismay to the twins, amusement to her brother. Then taking a circuitous way, she managed to rest on Miss Conkie’s foot, which was stuck out rather conspicu- ously. Miss Conkie, who was discussing the various specimens of snakes and their stinging powers in very learned manner, was instantly imbued with the idea that one of the slimy creatures had made its appearance. Thus she called “Snakes!” much to Mr. Nareau’s astonishment. After profuse apology, Miss Arber continued on her way, mentally declar- ing that there was more amusement walking around than sitting still.

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THE ELECTRICAL KIss. 133

“How charmingly you read!” said Archie to Maud, as she looked up from her book.

“Yes, Mr. Bunder told me how beautifully you 1 read and suggested that we come and hear you,” 3 said Eva innocently, inuch to Archie’s confusion ; t “pray continue.”

“No, not any more now,’ answered Maud, not

h well pleased at what she considers their intrusion. ee “ Hel-lo, Pet!” calls out Miss Arher, as she catches sight of Petra through the trees, “I was just to beginning to feel anxious about you,” and she was do about to rush off towards Petra, when she decided ks, that she had not thoroughly accomplished her ing object of disturbing Maud’s peace. So turning to he Tisab Ting she said, “ Miss Bertram and I are going a to have our portraits sketched by Mr. Strathmore Liss as representatives of our country’s type, or style, or

whatever you like to call it, and I suggest that you join us and have your nationality depicted also. I will artange with Mr. Strathmore, so you can wait and come along with Petra. Maud will excuse your desertion for such a cause, and Mr. Bunder will entertain her while you are representing your country.” Eva, not waiting for any reply to this arrangement, turned and raced away, not aware of the pleasure she was conferring on Tisab Ting or the annoyance to her friend Petra.

134 TISAB TING; OR,

“We will have to obey my lady’s mandate,” said Tisab Ting, giving Maud a regretful glance from his expressive eyes; “ you will excuse me, Miss Harring- ton for a short while.”

“Qh, yes!” Maud carelessly replied, as she turned to speak to Archie.

Tisab Ting advanced to meet Petra, “J am dele- gated to wait for you and escort you to the presence of Miss Arber.” Tisab mentally blessed the uncon- scious Eva for being the means of giving him what he otherwise would not have dared seek on this occasion—the pleasure of being in Petra Bertram’s society.

“Is Miss Arber annoyed, Mr. Tisab, at my not getting here earlier?” inquired Petra. “I had so many little things to attend to that I just rushed.’

“Miss Arber is all right, or as she would say, ‘quite fit’; but you look fatigued,” said Tisab Ting, giving Petra a searching glance; “you will think

worse of me,” he said, regretfully, “for being the primary cause of all this fuss.”

“Oh, no; not at all,” replied Petra, rather wearily, “T will enjoy the dancing to-night.”

. “Will you promise me a valse, Miss Bertram ?” eagerly asked Tisab Ting; but before Petra can reply, Eva comes towards them.

“Tt’s all right, Mr. Tisab, you can be in it; and

you eo} whic brow Unit ous p could celest dresse 1s, W in the will Mr, T Over t bewil standi the m “M implor “ Be said } spectat

and

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 135

Mr, Strathmore has promised that if it is any good at all, he will finish the picture, so we must all strike graceful attitudes,” said Eva.

“What kind of a group would you like ?” asked Eva, turning to the artist.

“Anything you like; it is to be your picture, you know,” answered Ralph Strathmore.

“Well, I propose we allegorize commerce, or which will have him. I believe,” continued Eva, her brow a mass of wrinkles, “that Canada and the United States are fighting for the most advantage- ous position in the Chinese market. Mr. Tisab could be in the centre, dressed as an old-time celestial. Petra and I on each side would be dressed in our respective flags. Now the question is, which country will eventually gain supremacy in the Chinese trade, for that is the one Mr. Tisab will have to look on with grave benignity. Choose, Mr. Tisab,” said Eva, stepping with comical dignity over to where Petra was standing, who leoked with bewiluered eyes from one to the other, not under- standing why Tisab Ting should have any voice in the matter.

“Miss Arber do not place me in such a position,’ implored Tisab Ting.

“Be fair to your country, Eva, and draw lots,” said Nan, who up to this time had been a silent spectator,

136 TISAB TING; OR,

“ Capital!” said Eva, handing Nan two pieces of twig; “the longest wins Mr. Tisab Ting.”

“But [I don’t understand,” said Petra.

“Mr. Tisab is to be in the picture with us,” energetically explained Eva; “come, you draw for him first, Petra.” Petra, knowing it was no use battling with this little American whirlwind, drew a twig—the shortest. How anxiously Tisab Ting had stood as Petra drew a twig, he alone knew; when she drew the shortest he felt as though even fate were against him.

‘‘Hurrah!” cried Eva, grasping Tisab by the hand, “China, thou art mine!”

“By George!” ejaculated Ralph Strathmore, “what a unique idea; if I can but work it out I will make my fame and fortune by it in the next exhibition.”

“No you don’t; you forget the picture is to be mine,” said Eva, sternly.

“ Dear maid of the stars,” said Ralph Strathmore, bending on one knee and looking imploringly at Eva, “help me to fame and fortune.”

“ Arise, Sir Knight,’ answered Eva, her eyes shining with pleased excitement, “thy request is granted ; and now to work to win.”

Much merriment was evoked by the task of

grouping.

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THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 137

“Mr. Tisab, were you but a little better looking I would not have to conjure up so much admira- tion,” outspokenly said Eva.

On the completion of the sketch, it was pro- nounced good by the promoter. Without any assumption their expressions were perfect, and the artist had happily caught them. Petra looked sad and discouraged. An animated, exultant look clowed on Eva's face. Tisab Ting looked gravely tolerant. .

Arrangements were there and then made for further sittings,

Shortly after this they returned to the house to partake of early dinner. .

Mrs. Harrington’s spacious rooms, perfect in their ball-room decorations, were crowded in the evening with such people as she loved to gather round her.

Mr. Tisab Ting had not been able to obtain an opportunity of again asking Petra for a dance before the arrival of the guests, and as he had stood near his hostess while she received, it was late in the evening before he could ask Petra for the dance he so much desired; then he could not find her anywhere. At last he saw her step- ping into the recess of one of the windows, where

he found her leaning in negligent attitude against the casement.

9

138 TISAB TING; OR,

“Excuse me, but may I have the pleasure of a valse, Miss Bertram ?” asked Tisab Ting.

“T do not think I have one left,” returned Petra, listlessly, not making an effort to look at her card.

“May I look at your card,” stiffly asked Tisab Ting, angered at her manner, yet unwilling to forego the pleasure of dancing with her.

“Certainly,” said Petra, handing the dainty little programme to him.

“Here is a valse number nine, may I have it?” asked Tisab Ting.

“Tf you wish it,” answered Petra.

“ Not if you would prefer not to dance with me,” rejoined Tisab Ting, who was stung by her indif- ferent tone and manner. For she was indifferent ; her dislike, her fear, her desire to avoid him, the pleasure and pain he had alternately made her suffer, were gone, she knew not by what cause. His sayings, his doings were simply matters of indifference to her now. And Tisab Ting, feeling this, raged against it as he thought, “This woman I love might have been mine willingly had I but acted differently at first. The most bitter regret is ‘the what might have been’ in the lives and affairs of men.”

“Tt is immaterial to me,” Petra said, coldly. “Then I refuse it,” replied Tisab Ting, deliberately

THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 139

drawing his pencil through the name he had writ- ten on her card.

“You-—-you refuse,” said Petra, indignantly ; ‘why you speak as though I had asked the favor,” Then, regaining her self-possessed dignity, she coldly said, “Go; your company will be better appreciated elsewhere.”

And with grave dignity he bowed and left her. But during the evening, as he watched her as she moved among her aunt’s guests, he noticed the irritable expression playing hide and seek around her mouth, an expression which gave to her face an indefinable charm.

CHAPTER XI.

“May I have a word with you, Mr. Strath- more ?” asked Tisab Ting, as he met the artist one morning as he was leaving his room.

“Certainly; come in,” cordially responded Mr. Strathmore.

Two weeks had sped on their way into the infini- tude of other weeks since the evening of the ball, and Ralph Strathmore’s attentions, on that occasion and since, had been so pronounced that Tisab Ting had been given no opportunity of reconciliation with Petra, even had she so desired.

Tisab Ting, meeting the artist, had asked for this interview with no previous thought or desire for it; not even knowing, as he asked for the audience, what he wished to say.

Strathmore smilingly requested Tisab Ting to be seated. He had liked this Chinaman from the first, but had been treated so distantly by him that their acquaintance had not ripened into even the sem- blance of friendship.

Tisab Ting took a couple of hasty turns up and

down the room, then stopping near Mr. Strath- 140

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THE ELECTRICAL KISS, 14]

more, brusquely said, “ You are very kind to me in sranting this interview so readily, for I have not always been cordial to you, for I envy you the regard in which Petra Bertram holds you. Could you not pay her less attention? I love her ten- derly passionately ; but I offended her during the first weeks of my visit in Canada, and now she will not allow me to address her even as a friend. Could you not give up some of her society and so give me an opportunity of breaking down the bar- rier of coldness and aversion that Petra Bertram shows so plainly to me. I would not have spoken thus to you if you had been leaving with the rest of the party next week, but I heard you promise Mrs. Harrington that you would remain several weeks and paint some family portraits for her.”

As Tisab Ting the Chinaman said this, his soul seemed to shine forth from his wonderful grey eyes. Not many men would have made such a request of another, but Tisab Ting had forgotten his pride in the rush of the tide of his emotions at sight of Ralph Strathmore, his rival.

“J—I—understood,” stammered Ralph, “that you disliked one another, but apart from that,” he continued, more firmly, “I cannot do what you ask, for I love her myself, and would lose all hope of fame for the precious gift of her love. You have

142 TISAB TING; OR,

the same chances as I, Win her if you can,” finished the artist, not boastfully or dauntingly.

“T will,” said Tisab Ting.

Well might each country be proud of her sons as they stand with determined mien and firm-set features, looking into each cther’s faces, and after a few moments silence they instinctively clasp hands,

“JT admire you, Mr. Tisab Ting, and I would ask you for friendship, but it would be useless; you could not give it, for I cannot do as you ask,’ said Mr, Strathmore.

“ My feelings are changed towards you,” returned Tisab Ting, his foreign accent very pronounced in his excitement, “but, as you say, I cannot offer or accept friendship from you as long as you are in the race for Miss Bertram’s love; I could not do otherwise than hate you. I love like my nation. I love with extreme passion—yea, fierceness. I revere and esteem you for the kindly consideration with which you have used me this morning; but your friendship, no!” said Tisab Ting, as he turned to go from the room.

“Wait,” said Ralph Strathmore, imperatively, “it is only right that I should tell you.” Tisab Ting thought that he was about to hear that Petra had already promised the artist that she would be his wife, and his face grew rigid with repressed

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THE ELECTRICAL KISS. 143

feeling. “Twice have I asked Miss Bertram to become my wife, and she has on both occasions refused me.”

“ You—say — vou—have—asked—her—twice ?” slowly questioned Tisal Ting.

“Yes,” returned the artist, “and I will continue to ask her until she either promises to be mine or the wife of some other. I would seek and ask over and over again for fame, wealth or position and feel that I had lost not one whit of manliness. Why not continue to ask for the love of this dear maid?” This last he said as though Tisab Ting was forgotten and he was speaking in reply to some inner questioning.

As Tisab Ting noticed the grand physique of the man before him, then remembered his own small stature and ugly features, he thought, “If Petra refused this man, what chance have I?”

“I thank you, Mr. Strathmore; there are not many men who would be so noble in giving such confidence after what has passed between you and me,” said Tisab Ting, as he turned and hastened from the room.

Mrs. Harrington felt that her house-party had proved very successful. She was greatly disap- pointed when she saw that Tisab Ting had no intention of asking Maud to marry him, bt was

144 TISAB TING; OR,

continually with Nan, seeking her out on all occa- sions, often talking earnestly and impressively to her. The friendship of Nan and Tisab Ting could well be misinterpreted into love, for they enjoyed one another’s society, and both loved the same woman.

The mammoth picnic had been as successful as the ball. On the day previous to the breaking up of the house-party, Mrs. Harrington entertained a select number of her friends at a switch garden party. The weather was delightful for that season of the year. Tisab Ting, as he sauntered through the grounds, thought he had never seen a prettier picture. The early autumn of green and gold tinged with red, the bright afternoon sunshine, the daintily dressed ladies attended by flannel-clad youths, the graceful flitting backward and forward of the switch players, the low hum of voices, a merry ring of laughter from triumphant switchers. As Tisab Ting stood speaking to Mrs. Bunder, he saw Petra going in the direction of the grove and concluded that she was going to the grotto; he watched her until she entered the grove and was lost from his view in its shadows; just then some one called Mrs. Bunder away. What trifles, light as a summer cloud, carry us on the stream called life; for then Tisab Ting hastened after Petra,

“

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