"It's you he admires, not Ray. He will accept your invitation--less with the idea of letting Ray hook him in the matrimonial net, than for the opportunity it affords for a renewed flirtation with you. Oh, quite innocent, of course, but still a flirtation. Have I forgotten what close friends you used to be before I appeared on the scene?" "And carried me off, a new Lochinvar come out of the West!" she laughed. "Oh, Kenneth, how can you be so foolish? It is absolutely indecent of you. I like Mr. Steell, and I think he likes me, but our friendship is purely platonic. I never give him a thought, I assure you." "I know you don't, but I'm not so sure about him. He's a man and men are only human----" "He's a gentleman," corrected Helen. "He never forgets that." Kenneth gave a grunt of incredulity. Sulkily he said: "All right--all right. Have a good time. Marry him to Ray. Perhaps it's safer that way. When he's my brother-in-law, he'll stop making sheep's eyes at my wife." Helen laughed outright. "You silly goose. I never suspected you of having a jealous streak in your nature. How could I prefer anyone to my handsome Kenneth?" As she stood before him, playfully patting his cheek, her glance alighted on the solitary lock of gray hair in the center of his forehead. Toying with it, she went on: "Isn't it strange that your hair should be white just in that place. I rather like it. It gives an added note of distinction to your face. I wonder what caused it." Kenneth laughed. "That's my trade mark. If ever I'm brought home on a stretcher you'll know me by that white lock." Helen raised her hand in protest. "Don't talk that way. Never jest about accidents. Sometimes they happen." "Well--I said nothing. I only said that if you were ever in doubt about my identity, you would know me by my white lock." She smiled, as she patted his cheek lovingly, and said: "That would not be necessary, Ken dear. No matter how changed you looked, what disguise you wore, I should still know you." "And if it wasn't me," he laughed, "but only someone who looked like me?" "I could never be mistaken. The ring in the voice, the expression in the eyes--no woman who really loves could ever be deceived." She had drawn nearer to him, her mouth upturned and tempting, her face with that gentle, wistful expression he was never able to resist. Throwing his arms impulsively about her, he clasped her passionately to his breast. "Sweetheart," he whispered, "you don't know how dear you are to me!" "Nor can you," she replied, as he smothered her with kisses, "ever realize what you are to me!" Suddenly they were interrupted by a sound at the door behind them. Some one coughed discreetly. Quickly separating, Helen turned round. In some confusion she exclaimed: "Hello, Ray. I thought you were out. When did you come in?"