The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-07

I
 pulled their horses backward to their launches simultaneously Their brother
 was looking down on them from a win
 dow. Anger and contempt shown in his eyes.
 The twins crossed themselves Then they perceived that it was not a spectre that
 they saw but flesh and blood. Well" said Wolf This is a surprise Rubbish! thought you were dead!''
 "Adjournment isn't adjustment said the Rogue, glaring upward at his broth CT venomously. We shall look for bet | ter luck next time."
 You heartess vllainsl' cried Kuno, his voice laundering through the castle l courtyard. From this hour forth all bonds of blood shall be dissolved between us I have heard your artillery roaring out your wild delight at the news of my deathi But see, I have had five guns mounted here, especially to receive you, and they are loaded in your honor! Turn and gallop out of my domain with all your might or you shall learn how we shoot in Stags Burg
  They saw that in Kuno's face which told them that he meant all he said. Des- perately they drove their spurs into the Hanks of their horses and raced down the mountain.
 The guns were loosed behind them as they rode. Shrapnel whined over their heads. so that they bowed involuntarily and most humbly.
 "Why the devil did you fire your guns on Hohenzollern?" growled the Rogue wrathfully You donkey, fired only be- cause I heard you.'
 "On the contrary" answered Wolf "Ask mother. It was you who fired first, and 1t Is you who has brought this shame on us, Little Rogue
 The Rogue did not remain in his debt for epithets, and when they reached the lake they exchanged all the oaths that they had inherited from the Bad Weather of Zollern and parted full of hatred. The next day Kuno sent for lawyers and a magistrate and made a secret will. i l would wager" said Dame Feldheimer to the cha plain, that he has not written very pleasant message for the artillery owners of Hohenzolern and Rogues Burg"
 Inouisitve as she was, ana cieVeriy though she coaxed her worshipped patron, she could not discover what Kuno had set down as his last will She never learned it, for within year she dleo' All her famous ointments and herbs and cum ming drinks did not avail her, for she died of her 9Sth year, which is conpiaint that is altogether likely to kill even the most healthy persons.
 Count Kuno gave her funeral as II she had been his mother. instead Of peihs ola r,oman He became more lonely than ever. especially as Father Joseph soon followed her
 However, he did not suffer very ons from loneliness. Count Kuno died III ms 9sth wear. and evilly minded people oe- clare that his end was brought apout bv poison that the Rogue 1ouno ihea"' of having administered to him.
 whether that be true or not, 1t was not many bours after he closed his eyes De- ,o.o +bs cannon roared once more from .ha ua,ls of both Hohenzollern and stag Burg. Twenty-Five shots flashed ironi each of the great castles, and the n'ou"- tsins echoed and re-echoed them us Il 'o emnba size to all the land how )uDiiah' tha po.ue the Wolf and their gentle mother were.
 ..rhis time the stupid Kuno had to oe- leve in death," said the Rogue laugnihs s,oud when the brothers met at the axe
 O.
 "Yes," growled Wolf. And 1T ne res urrects himself again like the last tili'e and presumes to scold at us rom HIS windows. have frelock here that shah make him extremely polite and quite dumb.'
 As they rode up the mountain, they were joined by a knight whom they dio not know. He was followed by great retinue. all heavily armed, and was evi- dently a person of distinction. The t"ihs, reasoning that he was probably 1rieho of kuno coming to attend the last rites' assumed an air of great dejection and pe- gan to bewail their beloved kinsmans early death.
 Loudly and continually they praised his virtues and spoke of their love TOT nm. The Rogue managed even to force ieW tears from his grim eyes. Much to their surprise the knight did not respond with 4 single word. Silently, solemnly with an utterly expressionless countenance ne looked at the Rogue and Wolf, and list, ened to their words, and rode on. HIS -etinue behind him was equally silent
 Thus they arrived at the castle ana rode over the lowered drawbridge.
 Now let us refresh ourselves bit ana he comfortable" shouted Woif' ois- mounting from his horse after they had entered the courtyard. He stamped ih'o inc hall. his sword clanking, and threw himself into seat by the long oaken table.
 .wine. cellar master, wine!' he cried. "Ouick! and bring the best in the vauits!
 The silent knight had followed the twins stm silent. he waited till they were both sitting comfortably at the table, their ei- bows resting on it in all the joy Of own ership. Then he stepped up to them
 Drawing a leathern purse from under his cloak. he opened 1t and spoke for the first time. "Here is your legacy said he. He dipped his hand into the bag, drew ont a Hohenzollern-minte forin and threw it on the table so that 1t spun. "rhat." said he lis correct. fiorin is what belongs to you.
 The two brothers looked at each other in