Warren sheaf., 1897-06-10
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BY PHILIP sBEAUFoY..

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8FTHE smoking concert of the staff Of
Messrs. Cardew& & CO., the great en-
cheering firm in Westminster, was in
.tull swing at the Broad Street hotel,
and everything was going as smoothly
as the organizers could have wished.
Two of the non-professional per-
formers who assisted at that entertain-
ment were Jack Langley and Arthur
Mayhew. Langley was one iof the most
popular men in the Office. He had a
kind, unseltish natura, which made him
liked on all sides; whilst, whenever the
firm had any festivity in progress, he
charmed everyone with his beautiful
baritone voice. His popularity and his
singing made him hated by one man,
and that man was Arthur Mayhem.
The two young men occupied rather
subordinate positions in the Office.
Langley was one of the assistant book
keepers, whilst Mayhem, who was two
years his junior, was in the cores
pondence department.. Mayhem had
always been the acknowledged singer
Of the office until Langley came. and
then he had to take a back seat, for he
knew that the newcomer could give
him any amount of points at the sing
ing business and beat him every time.
Thoroughly jealous by nature, May
hew conceived first of all a violent jeal-
ousy, and later an intense hatred of his
rival, and he resolved to do him an evil
turn when the first opportunity came.
Langley was in fine form tonight.
He sang the song noted on the pro-
gramme, and at the end of it received
an enthusiastic encore. He sang again,
receiving even a greater reception than
before, and at the close, the excited au-
dience, greedy for more, called for him
afresh. The chairman, Mr.. George
Cardew, then arose to his feet and an
nomced that Mr.. Langley would,
oblige again later on Then the noisy
young men settled down and waited
calmly the next turn. as'
A little later in the evening Mayhew
came on. He sang his best, but his best
was not to be compared with Langley's
worst, and though the indulg gentsaudi-
ence applauded him moderately, he
knew in his heart of hearts that he did
not deserve one round Of applause. And
yet, knowing this, he hated the man
who was winning praise which was
thoroughly deserved. 5s KS s@9s
At length the end came, as it comes
to every thing. In the cloakroom a
noisy band Of riotous smokers demand
ed their hats and coats, and Langley
found himself beside Mayhem.
Halloa, Mayhew," he said Scheerily.
Congratulate you, my boy. Your song
went all right, I'm sure 3';ss ~. NJ
i He said this in all good nature, forhe
felt sorry for the other man. and
wished to comfort him as far as posi-
bic. But Mayhem, sick with jealousy.
and excited with thc. alcohol he had
been drinking, turned on him savagely.
"Confound you and your congratu-
slations,' he said; keep them to your
self. Good-nig ht. 2 J.
Turning abruptly on his heel he
made his way out of the cloak room,
leaving Langley aghast att his behavior.
Old Mayhem must be q bit hurt, and
no mistake" remarked a young fellow
who stood close by; I fancy his going
on like that s.5 Z, ;3s
Poor chap said Langley; after all,
Il don't wonder at his being upset. It's
awfully discouraging when You feel
that you haven't made a real success" !"
And all the way home he was think
ing Of Mayhem. and saying to himself: I:
Poor Mayhem poor old chap.
Whilst Mayhem, as he walked home
ward, was saying: Il hate himI hate
him hate him!" #
When two men are brought constant
" together, one Of them desiring to in
33jure the other, an opportunity for do
ing SO invariably presents itself sooner
or later. In the case of Arthur May
1hew, it arrived sooner than he expected,
and it fell out in this wise. 1s
About two months after the concert
recorded sat the beginning Of this his
tory, the firm were much distressed 10
find that some one IN their employ was
sTobbing them week after week. One
day postal orders would vanish, then
other valuables and 80 Son, 8 Even per-
sonal property was appropriated, and
at length there came the day when Mr..
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