he way toward real
success. Eugene had become so much of a figure about the place that
everyone in the great building, in which there were over a thousand
employed, knew him at sight. The attendants were most courteous and
obsequious, as much so almost as they were to Colfax and White, though
the latter with the improvement of the general condition of the company
had become more dominating and imposing than ever. White with his large
salary of twenty-five thousand a year and his title of vice-president
was most anxious that Eugene should not become more powerful than he had
already. It irritated him greatly to see the airs Eugene gave himself,
for the latter had little real tact, and instead of dissembling his
importance before his superiors was inclined to flaunt it. He was
forever retailing to Colfax some new achievement in the advertising,
circulation, and editorial fields, and that in White's presence, for he
did not take the latter very seriously, telling of a new author of
importance captured for the book department; a new manuscript feature
secured for one or another of the magazines, a new circulation scheme or
connection devised, or a new advertising contract of great money value
manipulated. His presence in Colfax's office was almost invariably a
signal for congratulation or interest, for he was driving things hard
and Colfax knew it. White came to hate the sight of him.

"Well, what's the latest great thing you've done?" Colfax said once to
Eugene jovially in White's presence, for he knew that Eugene was as fond
of praise as a child and so could be bantered with impunity. White
concealed a desire to sneer behind a deceptive smile.

"No latest great thing, only Hayes has turned that Hammond Packing
Company trick. That means eighteen thousand dollars' worth more of new
business for next year. That'll help a little, won't it?"

"Hayes! Hayes! I'll be switched if I don't think he comes pretty near
being a better advertising man than you are, Witla. You picked him, I'll
have to admit that, but he certainly knows all about the game. If
anything ever happened to you, I think I'd like to keep him right
there." White pretended not to hear this, but it pleased him. Hayes
should be aided as much as possible by him.

Eugene's face fell, for this sudden twisting of the thread of interest
from his to his assistant's achievements damped his enthusiasm. It
wasn't pleasant to have his inspirational leadership questioned or