Page:Frank Owen - Woman Without Love (1949 reprint).djvu/117

  I hear from everybody. However, warn them to keep away. If they are friends of yours, they are not welcome here."

"I am quite aware how you feel toward me," he said dryly. "That's why I never visit you. Nevertheless if I can be of any service in helping you dispose of the house, do not hesitate to call upon me."

"It will be hard on the girls," she mused.

"It certainly will. There can be no doubt of that. Perhaps they can remain on when the new owner takes it over."

"That's the trouble," she said. "When I dispose of this house I want it to cease to be a House of Joy. I couldn't bear it if the place became common. Besides it wouldn't be fair to the neighbors."

"But haven't they reported you on numerous occasions?"

"That's true."

"Then why should you think of them?"

"They are still my neighbors."

Madame finally solved the problem by turning the house over to a philanthropic organization interested in the welfare of young girls.

"The house has led a gay life," she reflected. "Now in its old age, like me, it is going straight."

Dorothy Blaine was an interesting girl. She was beautiful, not in a light, vapid sort of way. Her face had expression. It reflected a strong personality. She was tall, though slim, and with a lovely form. Her eyes were dark and penetrating, like her Aunt Mary's. Her lips were provocative. When young men beheld them they always wanted to commence kissing. Dorothy was thoroughly modern.

Nothing shocked her. She did not mind kissing but she had to be sufficiently interested in a man to derive at least a bit of pleasure out of it. She drank a little and smoked a cigarette