The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-07-24
SIecteo Storn.
WON AT LAST.
BY HELEN LOCKWOOD.

BY HELEN LOCKWOOD.
It was an odd affair all around
Everybody wondered, and the puz
zle was not merely why the sweet
est and loveliest girl in town hat
married this dark stranger, whom
nobody. liked, and whom she hat
not known more than six weeks il
all; it was, also, how she came t.
jilt Ben Elroy, to whom she had beel
engaged almost since she wore Ion!
dresses, and whom she had playet
with when they were both children
Lorena was not merely a beauti
ful girl-she was as good as sh,
was lovely. Not a girl, you woul(
think, to marry one man for hi
money, or to jjlt another for tn,
lack of it.
Only the day before she married
Steiner, Ben had held her in hi
arms, and kissed from her lips the
fondest smiles that ever curved ,
scarlet mouth. He would have
sworn by her truth, and strangleC
the lie in any mans throat who
dared insinuate otherwise.
He was going away for a few
days absence-not more than ;
week at the farthest-and the two
parted lingeringly, as though it hat
been for a year. Ben, certainly
never dreamed, that, when they me
again, his lips would be almos
ready to curse the loveliness ht
now so rapturously.
When he came home, she haG
been married to Hubert Steiner foul
days; and, of all her friends, moi
one had a word to say in her favor
not one had an excuse to make
for her falseness. Indeed, most said
they were dumb with
amaze. A few insinuated that Stein
er was a richer man than Ben. But
they who had known Lorena from
childhood-her unselfish and higf
principle-could not credit tina
Steiner's money had been any tempt
alton.
Ben was like a man stricken will
paralysis when they told him. He
just dropped into chair, and neither
stirred nor spoke for hours.
The newly married couple went
to housekeeping in Lawrence, in
some style, and there seemed no lack
of money, whatever else was want
ing.
That something was wanting that
could not buy, people began
to guess, when LOrena Steiners ros
es went; and she grew the shadow
of herself within three months af
ter her wedding day.
Her old lover was terribly changed
too, but he made little outward ado
He and Steiner should have a settle
ment some day, he said, and he
watched the pair with strange eyes
and seemed to ponder over his lost
loves unfaithfulness, as some prob
lem difficult Of solution.
One day, when Steiner was away
but he did not know or care for thai
the pain and puzzle got the better
of him, and Ben went to see Lorena
1 think the poor fellow was hal
crazy-grown morbid with nursing
his grief, and did not know himsel
what he went for. He might have
had some vague notion of asking
his false love why she Tilted him, Of
he might have hungered so for the
sound of her sweet voice that hC
could bear it no longer.
He was shown by a very granC
servant into a very grand parlor
and he stood there, staring gloomily
at the fine things, until Loren'
came.
81 wonder if this is what she mar
ried Steiner for?" he was saying
to himself, as she glided into tht
room, shrinkingly, her face as white
as her dress.
At sight of him she burst int(
tears.
"Oh, Ben what made you come?
she cried, and was retreating.
But he said coldly:
81 am going away instantly, Mrs
Steiner" and the cold anger of hi
voice brought her back again, bu
trembling ike a leaf, and looking s.
deathly white that he thought sh
was going to faint and involuntaril.
approached her.
She rallied, however, instantly
and stood looking at him with pite
GUS eyes.
81 hope you are well, Mr.. Elroy,
she said family.
A spasm of pain contracted Ben
handsome pale face, and he turne
to leave her; but she followed hir
speaking huskily and extending he
little hands.
"Oh, Ben, don't go so! 1 can
bear it,"
He stopped and started at he
with his breath coming quick.
F." You!" he said passionately, ye
with scorn. "What have you got t
bear? Haven't you got what yo
sold yourself for?"
"Ben, don't speak so to mel" sh
! almost shrieked. "It was for you
sake. Oh! why didn't I die!"
Ben Elroy turned suddenly an
led her to seat, remaining, stan(
ling himself.
NNow, then, Mrs. Steiner, will yo
be good enough" he said, ''to te
me what you mean by saying for m
own sake?"
She stole wild look at his ster
face.
"Will you promise me to have L
words with him-With MIR. Stein,
about it2"
Ben hesitated a moment, and tht
lsaid:
u promise"