Page:Frank Owen - Woman Without Love (1949 reprint).djvu/63

 "Perhaps," she said slowly. "At least I hope so. Physically he was one of the weakest men I have known and yet he saw more of life in a day than you do in a month."

"Just what do you mean by that?"

"I am willing to give you problems, but I refuse to attempt to give you understanding."

They had continued advertising in the Fort Wayne papers at intervals. It was a relief to Mary when a new boarder arrived at the farm. At least this new boarder would be in the nature of a diversion, somebody new to talk to. She didn't want to think any more about Steve Garland and his portrait of the woman with the halo. If she remained alone much longer, that hidden woman might attempt to peer out again from her hiding place. If that inner woman existed she must be suffocated, strangled. She must not get glimpses of the moon.

Monty Camp, the new boarder, was a professional gambler, a confidence man, a fake stock salesman, to name only a few of his multitudinous callings. He was well-educated, a college graduate, and could adapt himself to any job as long as it was not a legitimate one. In appearance he was a cultured, polished gentleman. He wore good clothes though his suits were too bizarre and his ties were much too loud. He wore jewelry in a vulgar manner and the solid gold watch-chain across his waistcoat was almost heavy enough to be used for a harness. From it dangled a horse's head carved from a bit of petrified wood and an elk's tooth. He was well under forty, tall, handsome, of a type decidedly appealing to romantic maidens. Monty was conscious of his good-looks, his clean shaven face, his manicured hands. He liked whiskey and women and had never been able to get enough of either. It was seldom that he was without funds. Lady Luck was among the host of his admirers.

Monty had noticed the farm-ad in the paper at a time when he believed it would be well for him to get out of town for a while. He had had a streak of luck that was phenomenal and poor losers were beginning to talk. They were making slurring remarks about him. It was best for him not to be too conspicuous for a while in Fort Wayne. Besides he had been keeping atrocious hours, getting less sleep than a gold fish. A real rest