Evening star., 1897-02-27
gilt. 1897. by the Eaehell..r syudieate)

Copyright. 1885,. by the Eaehell.r syntieate)
Written for The Evening Star.
His name was Roland. which was very
fine. every will admit. 1t was also
Perkins. which was not so fine: he admitted
that himself. He was in fact. SO keeniy
conscious of the disproportion between the
two names that he came al last to be known
as plain Perkins
Mr.. Perkins had been left an orphan at
the early age of seven and had passed the
age of WISDOM as defined by the law. be-
fore he learnt aught of the history OF his
celebrated namesske.
As Mt. Jackworthy's business improved.
so also I'D the position of Ets young ap-
prentice. till. at twenty-five. behold our
Roland the prop of Mr.. Jackworthy's de
clining years and practical manager OF MS
very lucrative concern
Tn TO the age of three ana twenty then,
Roland lived happy life. Then there be
fell the one great event of his Hfe-Ae fell
liz love
No. not to one of his own station did the
great heart of Roland yield. bat to the lady
Maud Ellanton. the daughter of his grace,
the Duke of Marlshire,
1t was soon over this first and last pas
sion of Roland Perkins and it came about
in this wise One night q customer left
behind him an cid book. which Mr. Perkins
roticing. carried to his room for safety.
he read with deep attention of the story of
his namesake. the type ct knightly chival
ry, Charlemagnes great paiaGin. Roland.
A fanciful account, no doIbt. but one which
absorbed the reader and gave to the name
lie bore and had learned to detest a new
interest and fascination.
Il must learn more about this chap" said
the little hairdresser to himself ard ac-
Cordingly. one day he found his way 10 the
British Museum.
Arrived there. the asIonished attendant
found for him the literature which Mr.. Per-
kins in his ignorance could but iameiy ask
for. and far into the afternoon he read the
legends of the great king. True. many OF
his first illusions were dispelled by the hard
facts of history. but these he put asi1e.
and chung to the romance which the swee.
singers OF old had wo-en around his hero
his very own. his nameSalie.
As he walked hOmeward in the gathering
darkness Roland's step was light ami
springy, his head was held high. his eyes
shone and his whole being was aglow with
"a new and entirely pieasurable excitement.
As Roland drew near Mr.. Jackwort..y's
house. which adjoined the shop. he saw
that estimable man standing at the door,
gazing anXiously up and down the street,
and as he perceived his assistant approach
Ing he uttered an exclamation of satisfac-
tion.
All Perkins, said H. I'm glad you've
come home early. for there's important
job on hand As soon you have had Your
supper you must go to the Duke of Marl-
costume ball. Mr. Poulter"-the second
assistant usually goes there. but as
there's no knowing when he'll be back and
the message says 70 be sure and send i'll
good time. you'I have to go yourself
Very good. sir" answered Mr. Perkins:
ard, his supper finished. he set out some
what excited at being thus suddenly intro
duced into the mansions of the great-a
privilege hitherto monopolized by Mr.. Poui-
ter-yet at the same time confident in his
skiil as an artist, and rejoicing al his oppor-
tuniIy.
Arrived al the great house Mr.. Perkins
as shown into a room. where he waited
Patiently for the appearance of the lady
The day had been a fatiguing one for Ro-
land, unaccUStomed to pore over musty
tones. and his brain was already tired with
the weight of its newly-acquired store of
Knowledge. which coursed through II in a
strange fantastic tumble of fact and fancy
How long he waited he never knew but
presently. as he sat in chair before the
chevaf glass. MIR. Perkins head dropped for
ward on his chest. the curling tongs slipped
from his hand to the floor, and he dropped
heavily asleep
He awoke with a start. To his dazed
eyes, only nalf opened. the mirror and his
own sordid reflection therein were invisible
and he locked or thought he looked upon
an apparition from another world SO ex-
qu1Sitely beautiful was the face at which
ne gazed- so lusJrouS. angelic were the
sort, kind eyes which looked into his own
In one moment, however the dream faded
ara reality took its place. and with many
stammerins apologies the sleeper rose to
work. and Roland Perkins felt bound meta
E!orically. hand and foot before the charms
OF the Lady Maud. Fell into love so pas
sionate. so wild hopeless that only the