The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-10
RECONCILIATION.
Pathetic Tale Of the Rival Actors,
Reville and Vernier
Real Life Tragedy.

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each other cordially. By sort Of fatal
lty, as soon as either of these irrecon-
cllable enemies undertook or created a
role, he was sure to see the name Of
his adversary in bold type side by side
with his own ON the poster of the same
theater.
Both were always warmly received
and applauded. Reville was irresistible
in q role requiring personal beauty and
noble bearing. Vernier seemed the very
incarnation of meanness and treachery.
the ideal scoundrel, hardened and i'm.
penitent Regularly every evening to.
ward 12 o'clock he was unmasked and
crushed under the heels Of the righteous
and fascinating Reville
In their mutual desire to annihilate
one another they occasionally reached
sublimity. AT the Odeon they have been
seen-Reville under the scarlet livery
of Ruy- Bias. Vernier under the Span
ish cloak of Don Salluste-pouring forth
their romantic TRADES with such splen-
did sorority and expression as to create
breathless enthusiasm in the crowded
audience. They never exchanged a
word save before the footlights and
during the long, laborious rehearsals
Reville was widower- Vernier was
unmarried. The wife of Reville had
died young-of consumption-leav a
little girl, beautiful with the beauty of
n Greuze
The Porte st. Martin had announced
the reproduction of 1.-The Mysteries of
Paris for certain date, the principal
roles of the Schoolmaster and Prince
Rodolph to be filled by Vernier and
Reville
The disgust of Vernier knew no
bounds. He to have this vile role! He to
serve as mere foil to his rival!
AS the rehearsals proceeded Verniers
indignation became more and more pro-
nounced. Suddenly there came a rumor
of Reville's illness. He had contracted
violent cold, attacking the lungs,
which were seriously affected, and the
poor fellow was fat ON his back in the
City hospital.
His place was filled by an understudy,
and as all were somewhat eagerly
awaiting the expression of Verniers
satisfaction in the new arrangement, he
astonished every one by showing him
self more dissatisfied than before.
Early i'll the evening the audience be-
came conscious of something quite un-
usual-bizarre Vernier was not him
self. He forgot his lines, passed has
cues, stumbled, hesitated
1t was soon manifest to all that he
missed his old associate; that he was,
in short, lost without Reville, who, by
his dlsdain and overbearing manner, his
airs of a grand seignieur, had irri-
tated him, aroused his temper and
spurred his ambition. Reyille had in
deed kindled the now sleeping fire of
genius in the soul of this veteran of the
melodrama-
AS all were wondering and talking
over this singular contretemps and
asking, What does it mean?'' it was
learned that poor Reville was rapidly
becoming worse-his symptoms giving
no hope Of his recovery-and astonish-
ment reached its climax Us soon as it
was known that Vernier was on his
way to the hospital to see his rival.
When he rang the bell at the door, it
was with shaking hand. He was con-
Quoted to the chamber where Reville,
with eyes half closed, lay in that partial
sleep in which the faintest sound-no
louder than the fluttering Of n butter
ty's wings-is distinctly perceived
Hearing gentle step in the room, he
half raised his head from the pillow,
and seeing Vernier said with a smile:
"Ah, it is you. 1 knew you would
come. was expecting you
Vernier, the fierce, treacherous, i'm
penitent rascal Of the melodralna, fell
rather than seated himself in the chair
at the head of the bed, saying in his
deep bass voice, my dear old friendp"
half sobbing out the words.
Come, said Reville, embrace me. +"
Beautiful accolade! Thirty years
OF mutual hatred lost in this supreme
embrace! They remained closely
clasped, each in the others arms. look
ing into each others friendly eyes, full
of kindness and dimmed with tears.
Reville, raising himself on his elbow.
said:
Il know-you know-it is only q
question of time. 1t is great comfort
to see you here Mt my side and grieving
for me, and 1 should die content"-
Here he was interrupted by paroxysm
OF coughing, but after resting a few
moments he added:
NO. Content is not the word. am
leaving my child, my darling Cecile. IL
breaks my heart to know that I shall
never again feel her little arms about
my neck; never again kiss her soft
curls, and when I am gone what will
She do! What will become of her? God
help my darling. She has no one 8" And
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