Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-05
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS

a note OF unm1Stdkable tenderness. men,
with a accent of bitterness, he went on, "Oh,
the Blackstones have always been a hard
lot, Pericles-as black and hard as their
name! We"
BLACKSTONE paused sharply at the
- sound of footsteps descending the after
companionway. Then suddenly Constance
Blanding stood framed in the entrance to
the cabin, her dark eyes leveled upon Jona-
than Blackstone. In swift succession sur
prise, interest, and wonderment reigned in
her countenance. Blackstone started to
speak; but with helpless glance at Pericles
turned away, and it was she, now discover
ing John Laysan's partner, who broke the
silence.
captain O'Brien,r said she, advancing
and revealing the stalwart form of Joe Car
yer behind her, II did not mean to inter-
rupt L"
Perfectly all right, Miss Banding" an
swered he.
Il am rather excited. | don't understand
business, of course; but | have just heard
what happened at the auction, and I'm sure
vouv been cheated" She shot a glance
of scorn at Joe Carver, who looked as if he
wished he was ten thousand miles away.
"You couldn't have known that it would
take at least ten thousand dollars to repair
the rigging and masts. did not know this
until little while ago. Mr.. Laysan said
you and he could not use her in any circum-
stances, and now
"But it is all right now, my dear Miss
| Banding
| Captain Carver painted and fixed things
| just to deceive"
@The old rule of oageat emPtoy, Let the
purchaser BEWARE still holds, Miss Blan-
ding. / wasn't deceived. L"
Jonathan Blackstone, coming out OF the
deep shadow in the forward part of the
cabin into which he had retreated, drew
Pericles glance.
@What did l tell you?' asked Carver, his
face lighting triumphantly; but instead Of
meeting his gaze Constance Blanding was
looking at Blackstone.
3Nobody has been cheated, Con-AIiss
Blanding," said the chandler, flushing in
confusion at his slip of the tongue.
at was you, then, who bought" she be-
gam only to break In her speech, and In that
instant to remember what Johnson, the cam
neries' broker, had told Joe Carver, O'Brien
paid for the Bevan with somebody elSes
check"
The chandler for a moment lowered his
gaze in a shamefaced way, and then, with
bitterness and yet something Of pride in his
voice, said, II bought the Constance Bevan
this morning, and nobody ever cheated iona
than Blackstone but-Jonathan Blackstone
himself That painting behind you is worth
more than"
RELOW there!' interrupted voice from
the deck, followed by gathering of feet
coming aft through the forward cabin. With
this introduction Simon Rosenthal entered
the scene, his tubby form exuding bland
ness, his round, highly colored countenance
ripping with smiles. At sight of him Joe
Carver's face darkened, and he led Con-
stance Blanding out through the companion
way.
ooh, excuse me please, Mr.. Captain
O'Brien,' he said unabashed, "but like to
talk business"
@You know where my office is! answered
Pericles angrily, and he would have gone on
to order him ashore had he not caught
warning glance from Blackstone.
"For sure; but got no hard feeling about
anything. Maybe you don't like me; but
business is business, and / like to fix this
ship by you so soon as can for the Elesken
coast. l like to make time Smarter for her
six manufacturing rate. Nillsen he's
hothead. He wouldn't listen to me this
morning, or you shouldn't been made to pay
the price Won did believe mel 7 saw to him