The Forrest City times., 1892-04-15
HIS CHANGE AT LAST.

Clement aud Henry Walford were twin brothers-tow like and vet how unlike. In appearance there was everything to lead one to see that they could both lay claim 10 the same birth. day; their faces were identical their figures the same. Fortune however had placed them in totally distinct channels. Their mother. in her day (for she had been dead these twentv years). was an actress of rare ability and people had crowded the theat srs 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 all that was gifted had 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- nized by iickle public, the abilities Of the other never even had 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 to secure hIs services; society held open its doors and the great actor en- tered at his ease. And Henry? A struggler-nothing more; disap- pointed struggleE 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 tho very edges of poverty. There were times when he had been forced to write to his brother a letter asking for help but no reply ever came. The poor mans wife had even knocked at the great actors door; but the response from a servants lips was that Mir 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 nounciug the fact that it was his in- tention to appear at an early date as Hamlet Everybody, from manager to public. was sanguine Of a great success; it was the topic Of the clubs. the conversation Of the critics Clement Walford himself felt inwardly comfortable and satisfied that failure with him could never be.
 The night drew near The day 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 a deathly pallor on his face be- fore. He smiled at his loolishness. He attempted to reach a 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 at them to see if 1t was true
 Excitement - strain anxiety nervousness-o it ' he cried; "a drink of water brandy-will set me right Where's the bell rope? An! there It is. and crawling towards the cord across the room, he just man. aged to reach it when he fell to the ground.
 When he awoke he lay Tn bed the doctor standing by. He lifted his eyes towards those of the doctor.
 'Why-why an l 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 hard in bed. now"
 Thank God! Thank God" the man said. Il was afraid it was the first night Whats the matter with me? What's the matter with me- Why don't you answer9 Don't look at me like that; answer mel"
 You have been doing too much lately-you are not strong.
 Not strongm
 And nothing but perfect rest will bring you round again tho doctor said. You have"
 What? what? Tell me quickly"
 You have broken a blood vesseli'
 The man looked at the doctor for q moment Then he rose in his bed. His voice was scarcely discernable, it was cold and harsh it was not the voice of a man whose tone had fasci. mated all his hearers. He looked the medical man wildly in the face. He asked quietly at first;
 Do you know what tomorrow night is? No; of course you don't. But do Itis the first nightof Ham let and shall be there-there with the house before mo hanging on every word utter. Do you think this bed will hold me from my triumph? To you think you or tn warning ot auy man will prevent me from welcom ng the hour of my success Not strong you don't know me. Give me drink of watern
 With trembling hands the man re fused the aid of the doctor but llited the glass to his hps and gulped down the contents. Hour a t.. hour passed. The night had gon and with the first signs of approaehias day the doctor who had remained a faithful watcher