The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-23

surprise-and shame. The Count stood stock still, gazing upon Wilhelm. He thought he saw his double and that this was a premontion of death.
 The two men were not unlike in countenance and form, and the dim light of the room, aided by Wilhelms s disguise of the counts dressing gown, made the resemblance greater. For minute the two stared at each other aghast Then the Count turned with q sigh and left the room. The next day he greeted Wilhelm as usual and the young merchant and the conspirators saw that he did not suspect. But a settled melancholy from that hour fix ed upon the Count: aa-
 The festivities over, the Prince, with his army, marched on the actors and actresses were dismissed from the cas- tie and given an abundant remunera- tion for their part in the Inequalities of the Count. Wilhelm went to take his last farewell of the Countess Philina was with her. Wilhelm. as he gazed upon the Countess was speech less. Quick sir, cried Phlina, If you
 
 your gratitude by way of pantomime! ! And if today you can invent nothing then be my imitator." She grabbed the left hand of the Countess and covered 1t with kisses. Wilhelm sank upon his knee and, taking the right hand of the lovely woman, pressed it passionately to his lips. Hanging by chain around her neck the Countess wore an ivory miniature of her lord painted In his bridegroom dress. "Is this his lord ship?" cried Philina. Tt is," replied the Countess He Is a handsome man. but there are others as handsome" retorted the actress visibly agitated, the Countess bade Philina be silent. and handing to Wilhelm a ring. expressed her qualification for the readings he had given her and for the service of his troupe of actors. lock of her hair was in the ring which she gave him.
 Wilhelm was still on his knees. Moved by a sudden impulse, he sprang to his feet and said: Forget me not, your image Is engraven on my heart and will never be effaced. Farewell must be gone" Then, as in dreams, some strange thing fades and changes into something stranger, so. without knowing how 1t happened, Wilhelm found the Countess in his arms, her lips were resting upon his and their warm, mutual kisses seemed like the foam which the immortals sip from the freshly poured cup of love. Wilhelm pressed her to his bosom, when, with shriek the Countess started back and placed her hand against her heart. Away. Away" she cried. Leave me, leave me, if you love mel Wilhelm was out of the chamber and In his own room before he knew what was doing.
 The incident of the princes entertain ment and of the castle and the Countess Wilhelm thought was finished. But there was to be a sad sequel to it and the coming event cast it's shadow before. There was an aged, wandering harper who had managed Gas most of the-ilot- sam and jetsam of nomadic artistic life didD to attach himself to Wihelms train. As Wilhelm was preparing to de- part from the castle he heard this old and half-crazed harper touching the 
 To guilt ye let us needless got;
 Then leave repentance fierce to wiring us; A moments guilt, an age of woe.
 Having left the castle the company. with the properties which Wilhelms gen erosty had redeemed from pawn. set out on q journey to city big enough. as they thought, to cope with and appreciate their mighty histrionic abilities.
 As has been said, it was time of war, and the country was disturbed. Armed bands of freebooters roamed through it preying upon both sides. One of these bands attacked, overpowered and robbed the company of players. Wilhelm made a brave resistence and Mignon, catching up the sword of a fallen freebooters. stood over him when he was wounded and pros +trate, until, partly through admiration of the girls courage and partly because