Patience Sparhawk and her Times

"Garan Bourke is coming to dinner to-night," said Hal, the next day. "It's the hardest thing in the world to get him; he never goes anywhere; but he half promised mamma, when he called the other night, that he'd come some day this week, and he wrote yesterday, saying he'd dine with us to-day. I want you to meet him. He is awfully clever, and when he talks I want to close my eyes and listen to his voice. If the dear girls ever get the vote and do jury duty, all he'll have to do will be to quote law. He needn't take the trouble to sum up. His voice will do the business every time."

Patience, in a French gown of black chiffon, was very beautiful that night. She did not go down to dinner until every one was seated. Bourke sat next to Mrs. Peele. Her own chair was near the end of the opposite side of the long table. For a time she did not look at Bourke. When she did she met his eyes; and knew by their expression that some one had told him she was the wife of Beverly Peele.