The Cost

"The Cost" by David Graham Phillips is a novel likely written during the late 19th century. The opening chapter introduces the main character, Pauline Gardiner, a spirited young girl who navigates the complexities of youth, friendship, and early romantic feelings against the backdrop of her relationships with her peers, particularly John Dumont and Hampden Scarborough. The narrative sets up themes of social standing, personal growth, and the clash between parental expectations and individual desires. At the start of the novel, we are presented with Pauline's world as she transitions from a sheltered childhood into adolescence, marked by her initial encounters with authority and rebellion. The narrative captures her infatuation with John, illustrating their dynamic filled with teasing and confrontation, while also hinting at the deeper emotional connections that both characters grapple with. As Pauline engages in school life and grapples with her feelings about Dumont, the reader is introduced to her surroundings, her family expectations, and the budding tension as she strives for autonomy in her choices, setting the stage for the conflicts and transformations that will follow in her journey.

The Cost, by David Graham Phillips. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #478.