Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-04-29
HIS CHANCE AT LAST,

twin brothers-Eow like and yet how
| unlike. In appearance there was
everything to lead one to see that they
could both lay claim to the same birth
day; their faces were identical their
hgures the same. Fortune, however.
had placed them in totally distinc,
channels Their mother. in her day
| Cor she had been dead these twenty
| years), was an actress of rare ability.
and people had crowded the theaters
| night after night to follow her i'm.
pressive acting. Both her sons had
inherited her talents in no small meas.
ure and two years previous to her
death they had launched out in their
first struggle to win fresh laurels for
the name around which al that was
gifted hal gathered. Talents. alas.
may live and shine. yet they may live
and scarcely flicker To-day these
two men were brothers only in name.
The gifts of the one had been recog-
nlzed by tickle public, the abilities
OF the other never even had a thought.
Clement Walford His name was
on everybody's lips. The critics gave
him columns in the papers. theatrical
managers almost knelt at his feet and
paid eagerly the money he demanded
10 secure his services; society held
open its doors. and the great actor en-.
tered at his ease. And Henry? A
struggler-nothing more; q disap.
pointed struggler Clever, but un.
known; gifted but unheard Of His
brother success may have cut him
but it never discouraged him. He
labored on, still hopeful. Whilst the
popular man was rich in London, the
other was lowering on the very edges
OF poverty. There were times when
he had been forced TO write to his
brother letter asking for help. but
no reply ever came. The poor man S
wife had even knocked at the great
actors door; but the response from a
servants lips was that Mr. Walford
was engaged" And so the brothers
lived The one utterly oblivious to
the ties of relationship the other hop.
ing for recognition and reconciliation
at last Clement Walford's triumph
was at hand. Hitherto Shakespeare's
characters had with him remained
untouched. but paragraphs in the
newspapers had just appeared. an
nouncing the fact that it was his in
tention to appear at an early date rs
Hamlet Everybody from manager
TO public was sanguine OF n great
success; it was tho topic of the clubs.
the conversation of the critics.
Clement Walford himself felt inwardly
comfortable and satisfied that failure
with him could mover be.
The night drew near The dav be-
fore the performance had arrived and
the last rehearsal had been held.
Clement Walford returned to his
rooms. He stood before the gilded
mantelpiece and looked into the glass.
He started back. He felt giddy.
Again he looked INTO the mirror with
straining eye. He had never seen
such deathly pallor on his face be-
fore. He smiled at his foolishness.
He attempted to reach u chair. but
found his feet would scarcely carry
him. Make what effort he might. his
head was dropping onto his breast
he felt his hands trembling and looked
ut them to see if it was true.
Excitement - strain - anxiety-
nervousness ii" he cried;
"a drink of INTERCHANGEABLE set
me right Where's the bell ropeo
All there 1t Is " and crawling towards
the cord across the room. he lust man.
aged to reach it when he fell to the
ground.
When he awoke he lay in bed. the
doctor standing by. lie lifted his
eyes towards those of the doctor.
'Why-why an here? How long
have l been here? Is this-is This
the first night?' he asked.
You have been here few hours
that is all. was the Doctors reply.
Lie quite still-keep your hand in
bed now"
Thank God! Thank Godm the
man said Il was afraid it was the
first night What's tho matter with
me- What's the matter with me?
Why don't you answer? Don't look
at me like that; answer mew
You have been doing too much
latel you are not strong"
Not strong"
And nothing but perfect rest will
bring you round again, the doctor
said. You have"
WHAT WHAT Tell me quicklyr'
You have broken n blood ve,selr'
The man looked at the doctor for a
moment Then he rose in his bed.
His voice was scarcely discernable; il
was cold and harsh; it was not the
voice OF man whose tone had fasci.
mated all his hearers. He looked the
medical man wildly in the face. He
asked quietly at first:
10 you know what to- morrow
night is? No; of course you don't
But do. Its the first night of Ham
ct and shall be there-there with
he house before me hanging on every !
word | utter. DO you think this bed /
will hold me from my triumph 10
you think you. or the warning of any
nan will prevent me from welcoming
he hour OF my success Not strong!
'ou don't know me. Give me drink
IF water"
With trembling hands the man re-
used the aid of the doctor. but lifted
he glass to his lips and gulped down
he contents. Hour ate" hour passed.
The night had gone. and with the first
igns of approaching day the doctor
Who had remained faithful watcher
III through the night-drew aside the
window curtains and the light
treamed in upon the man as he lay In
lis bed. 1t lit up the face of man
whose life was fast going He looked