The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-07-05
Costing
Prudence
.....By n. J. PHILLIPS
Copyright. 1aoa, BY Beatri1 Reade

Berkeley Marshall leaned luxurious
" back tn the shady chair, hoisted bis
feet to the bed and blew q ring Of
smoke ceihngward from his cigar. ITO
recapituiate," he began, directing his
remarks to the calendar which hung
ON the wan and from which stared
back at him the face Of q supposedly
beautiful young woman With fixed
and sugary smile, "your left ear is con-
foundedly out Of drawing. I beg your
pardon, I'm not an artist I'm civil
engineer-or will be next June. And
that isn't what I started out to re-
mark.
ITO recapttulste, I have peddled
maps over three states, and the net
profits Of these adventures are $5S1.62.
/ have a steady Job during the college
year waiting ON table at three per and.
found. Furthermore, have a dress
suit and clothes and ties and things.
Further yet, I have an invitation from
nv cousin, Terrence Marshall, to spend
a week With him al" Sylvan Cove, the
swelle* resort on this little old ocean.
It is now Saturday night, Sept Is and
college opens up the 18th.
The question seems to be shall go
ON peddltng maps and accumulattng
more filthy lucre, which I may possibly
need; shall I go home, which is 300
miles away; to college, which Is $50, or
to Sylvan Cove, which Is under hun
dred and where pretty young women,
It ts presumed aboundT
In due parliamentary form the syl-
van Cove question was put and carried
unanimously, whereupon the boy-he
was little more-bowed gravely to the
calendar lady and thanked her for her
kihdness In voting With him. Then he
ran down the stairs of the country ho-
tel to consult the time table, for be
was In a hurry to be Of.
Marshall found Sylvan Cove In the
elaborate simplicity stage Of summer
resort development. Everything was
costly, but very plain, for the Cove
was Inhabited each season mainly by
wealthy people who bad become ac-
customed to their money.
On the first Gay Of his stay Marshall
natvely con6ded to hts cousin that be
believed Prudence Fairchild to be the
prettlest girl at the Cove, wbereupon
Torrnce grinned and replied, "Stung,
are your On the second DAY he learn
ed taat she could swim like seal and
so.f ike Scot That evening, by vir-
tue Of four dances which she. generous
II gave him at the pavilion party, his
stock Of knowledge was augmented by
the fact that Miss Prudence danced
like a fairy.
His approval Of the tanned. red fp-
ped and wholesome young woman deep
ened during long sail tho next morn
Ing, vhen he discovered that her taste
in looks and tennis rackets was iden-
teal with hts own. When Terrence In
formed him later, however, that her IA
ther, Rufus Fairchild, was credited
with more millions than there were
letters to hts name the young man ex-
perienced novel and entirely unpleas-
ant sinking Of the heart.
His own financial situation did not
trouble Marshall-in fact, be found hu-
NOR in his poverty; Marshalrs father
had been rich until an industrial furry
had left him broken and penniless.
Berkeley himself, q natural engineer
and in love with the profession be had
chosen, feit the presctent stir Of genius
within him, vague but real His teach
ers predicted great things Of him, and
with the knowledge Of bis own powers
and his burning desire to achieve, fame
and wealth were merely around the
next corner.
Yet the fact Of Miss Fatrchild's
wealth depressed him "rve almost
monopolized her since I've been here,
he told himself, "and she'll think It's
the blooming money. I suppose bali
this bunch that's hanging around her
would marry a Digger Indian for the
old mans pile. I wish she were poor"
The latter agg1teved and sincere re-
mark revealed to Marshall that he was
dangerously near being In love.
A certain sensitive pride, for he had
a morbid fear that bis attitude might
be misconstrued, kept Marshall out OF
the girls presence most Of the time
thereafter. Maybe she understood, for
the possession Of much money often
brings a woman bitter wisdom; maybe
It was a feminine desire to repay him
for his aloofness; at any rate, Miss
Fairchild contived to give Marshall
glance at parting, as he held her cool
little hand, that thrilled bis every pulse.
It was like the song Of nightingale
or the scent Of June roses. And the
memory moved him again and again
that winter as he built theoretical
bridges inHhe class room or delivered
vegetable soup in the hotel dining
room.
Now, look such as that from a g1r1
who is not dirt dwells In her memory
too. Miss Fairchild1s cheeks were hot
sometimes when she thought Of It and
Of the answering glance Of bewihered