The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-06-26
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1 IN HIS ~. {
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- VI.
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BY PHILIP BEAUFOY.

THE smoking concert of the staff OF
Messrs. Cardew d Co, the great en-
gIneering firm in Westminster, was in
iull 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
Ilent were Jack Langley and Arthur
Mayhew Langley was one OF the most
popular men in he office. He had a
Kind. unselfish nature, which made him
liked on all sides: whilst, whenever the
firm had any festiYity in progress, he
charmed everyone with his beautiful
baritone voice. His popularity and biz
singing made him hated by one man.
aud 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
ears 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 back seat, for he
knew that the newcomer could give
him any amount of points ut the sing
ing business and beat him every time.
Thoroughly jealous by nature, May
hew conceived first of all 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.
lie sang the song noted on the pro
gramme and at the end of it received
an enthusiastic encore. He sang again,
receiving even greater reception than
before, and At the close, the excited an-
diefce, greedy for more, called for him
afresh. The chairman, Mr. George
Cardew. then arose to his feet and an
nounced that Mr.. Langley would
oblige again later on" Then the noisy
young men settled down and waited
calmly the next turn.
4 little later in the evening Mayhem
came on. lie sang his best. but his best
was not to he compared with Langley s
worst, and though the indulgent audi
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.
At length the end came, as il comes
to everything. In the eloak-room a
noisy band of riotous smokers demand
cd their hats and coats. and Langley
found himself beside Mayhem.
.'IIalloa, Mayhem he said cheerily
Congratulate you, my boy. Your song
went all right, I'm sure
He said this in all good nature, for he
felt sorry for the other man, and
wished TO comfort him as far as posi-
BILE. But Mayhem, sick with jealousy
and excited with the alcohol he had
peen drinking, turned on him savngely
"Confound you and your congratu-
lations," he said; keep them to your
self. Goodnight"
Turning abruptly on his heel, he
made his way out of the cloak-room,
leaving Langley aghast at his behavior.
"Old Mayhem must be bit hurt, and
no mistake" remarked a young fellow
who stood close by; fancy his going
on like that"
Poor chap" said Langley; after all,
] 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:
''foor Mayhew-poor old chap"
Whilst Mayhem, as he walked home
ward, was saying: 81 hate him-I hate
him--I hate him!"