Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-07-07


But would you make a sacrifice, a
heavy sacrifice, for herr"
II would give even my life"
THAT is well, that is WE'LL" he NUT
tered, rubbing his hands once more.
You cen to be an honorable young
man, and l have no objection to your
marrying my daughter, providing you
-you-" he hesitated, CHANGING ut me
furtively.
well, Mr.. Christopher"
lin a few days the 'Peaclblow Vase
will he sold ut auction. Mrs. Mary
Jane Morgan, SO l hear, paid $4,000
for 1t. 1t vas found in China, belongs
to the Kang-he period, and is unique.
Do you hear me, Mr.. Grosvenor? That
vase is unilue!"
The old gentleman was greatly agi-
tated. Rising from his chair, he took
several turns about the room, with
! quick. ervou strides. Finally he stop
ped before me aud wento ON:
I've lain awake every night for a
month thinking of that vase. l must
have it. IL you will buy it at the auc-
ton, Mr.. Grosvenor, and bring it to me,
my daughter is yours"
believe l succeeded admirably in
suppressing the contempt 1 felt for
that Old man. He knew I had $4,000
with which to provide q home for his
daughter, and he was willing to I'M
poverish me for the sake Of this insig-
nificant piece of bric-a-brac, and then
give his daughters welfare into my
hands.
Very good" l said, rising. "The
vase shall be yours
In March, 1886, it was sold ut auc-
ton. 1t was hidden in for me, as 1
have atated, for the sum of $4,000.
Some thought 1t was purchased for
William L. Walter, of Baltimore. 9th
ers averred that 1t was for the collec-
ton of Rrayton Ives, Of New York.
All this, despite the fact that Mr..
Walters and Mr.. Ives. l believe, dis
claimed the purchase. The furore ere
atei over this matter by the press of
the two cities may still live within the
memory of Il few of my readers. Some
there We're who believed neither Mr..
Walters nor Mr.. Ives. Upon the death
of Mr.. Walters. when general access
was had to his magnificent art colhc-
tion. 1t was aScertained that the vase
was not in his possession.
AS for Mr.. Ives, he has a vase resem-
bling the "Peachblow Vase" but Mr..
Montague Marks, editor of the Art
Amateur, is quoted by u prominent
New York paper as saying:
II have seen Mr.. Ives vase. and
while 1t resembles the original Peach
blow Vase yet l can assert that it is
not the same"
carried the costly little object to
Mr.. Christopher as soon as it was
placed in my hands. He Rugged 1t to
his heart, kissed it. wept over it aud
danced about the room like a school
boy. He was in a perfect transport.
Suddenly, however, he realized what
was due me-. and stopped short in Il de-
lirious pas seul to lay a hand on my
shoulder and eXclaim:
My dear boy, take my daughter.
She is yours"
simultaneously with the words came
a patter Of swiftly moving feet upon
the floor, and an instant later the vase
was snatched out Of MI. Clristophers
hands. We turned quickly. Before us
stood Inez, her form erect, her dark
eyes flashing. and the passion Of n
deeply felt wrong expressed in her
beautiful face. Above her head she
held the VASE
"1nez!" exclaimed her father.
And for this" she cried, .fcr this
youwould sell my happiness, you would
barter me as you would o slave! Is
this your affection for an only daugh-
ter? Who gave you the right to set a
price upon my love! And, conceding
that you have the right, is 1t not a
mockery of everything u woman holds
dear to make this pagan gew-gaw a
full requisite for her love and lifelong
happiness?
Before this imprisoned outburst her
father actually cringed. His meager
frame contracted to its smallest dimen-
sion, he sunk on his knees and raised
his trembling hands.
''Inez!" he implored; "Inez, my
child!"
But Inez went on, relentlessly:
".And what of him who, out of love
for me, has wrecked his fortune to buy
for you this contemplate piece of pot
terry? All, father, father! You have
wronged us both, and this is your pun
ishment!!"
Swift as a flash she cast the Peach.
blow Vase" upon the floor with n force
that broke it into a score of pieces, and
then. like some avenging goddess. she
stood above the wreck. spurning the
fragments with her slippered foot. For
a moment the old man was speeches.
and unable to move; then, with a shrlll
cry Of sorrow. he dropped into a chair
and covered his face with his hands.
Inez turned to me with tears trem.
bling in her %eyelashes.
1.-The punishment was terrible" she
said in q~uivering tones. land my hand
and heart will requite you, perhaps