Judge, 1916-10-07 · page 13 of 32
Judge — October 7, 1916 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical fictional story (not a political cartoon) by J.A. Waldron about romantic rivalry during World War I. Three British officers—Major Minturn and Captains Lee and Macpherson—are shipping out to France and have all courted the same woman, Miss Iris Radogan, a society beauty who has kept all three as romantic options. The satire targets the sentimentality and emotional manipulation surrounding wartime departures. Miss Radogan uses patriotic occasion to maintain her "sentimental hold" on all three men simultaneously, making romantic declarations to each while avoiding commitment. The story mocks both the officers' eagerness to receive her affections before deployment and her calculated exploitation of wartime emotions for romantic advantage. The title suggests this represents one shallow aspect of patriotism: using national duty as romantic theater rather than genuine sacrifice.
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ONE PHASE O F PATRIOTISM WALDRON great English training camps to entrain for a coast town whence they were to ship for France. Favored persons who had friends and relatives in the call had gone down from London for parting. ‘There were society folk of influence, and among them was Miss Iris Radogan, whose admirers were many. Gerald Minturn, Kenneth Lee and Angus Macpherson had all paid court to the fair Iris. They moved in the same circle, and were friendly rivals for her favor. All three had fallen under the military influence, and, as luck would have it, all had been in camp together, though of different commands. Intelligent and earnest, all three had found promotion before seeing actual service, for the war's bitter work made Promotion rapi Minturn was already a major, and Lee and Macpherson wore the insignia of captains. All three young men had come to the point with Miss Radogan before enlisting, but with the privilege of beauty undecided she had held all on a string without com- mitting herself. No doubt on this visit she had hoped to see all three of her cavaliers and wish them luck in France, incidentally making sure of her sentimental hold on them all. Tout WAS a movement of new soldiery from one of the “You're that bonny nothing can take you from my sight, wherever I may go,” said Captain Macpherson, who was given to fine phras It was his fortune to encounter her first. “1’m not sure of that,” she replied with a laugh. handsome girls in France. “T shall have no eyes for them,” he responded. And he still holding her hand as Captain Lee came on the scene. She disengaged herself to greet Lee and the Scot, summoned at the instant, left them with a sigh. “If I write may I depend upon a reply?” asked Lee, putting into a glance something he was too nervous to phrase. If you are not sentimental—too sentimental— “There are yes. “But there is sentiment here.” He indicated two or three couples locked in parting embraces, carcless of witnesse: “But isn’t that a bit vulgar?” Yet her eyes held his, as he thought with a promise. “I wish you all good fortune—and a glorious return. But I sce Lady Melchor and must speak with her.” And she hurried away, turning to give himasmile. Lady Melchor was engaged with Major Minturn, who excused him- self and advanced to meet Miss Radogan. comicbooks.com