Judge, 1917-03-03 · page 13 of 28
Judge — March 3, 1917 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a romantic story illustration titled "Modern Instances" by J.A. Waldron, not primarily political satire. It depicts two travelers aboard the *Nippon Maru* (a ship bound for Oriental ports from San Francisco) who meet after a chance encounter when rough seas cause the man to steady the woman. The narrative establishes a meet-cute scenario typical of early 20th-century romance fiction: an attractive, unattached young woman traveling alone encounters a mysterious, serious military-type man. Their shipboard acquaintance develops into something approaching romance, though his persistent melancholy concerns her. The story's satirical angle appears mild—it gently mocks the social awkwardness of shipboard passengers ("queer lot aboard") and the formulaic nature of chance romantic encounters, playing with readers' expectations about unmarried travel and propriety. The final line's revelation suggests a conventional plot twist about hidden marital status.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
I By Joa. ARDON MI the sea was rough—and picked up her va “Pardon me!” she replied He steadied himself to stoop ty bag. @ made sure of her “P footing and picked up his cigarette case, which escaped from his coat were ev he restored her accessory to beauty. Thus they n in court There was no one to introduce them, anyway. They were among passengers on the Nippon Maru out of San Francisco for Oriental ports. Other passengers represented an unusual variety of na- tionalit Upon their social, political and other possibilit imagination and conjecture might play endlessly. Most of them were taciturn and reserved, and even small groups that obviously were tourists held together and aloof. Seated quite rt in the dining saloon this youngish man and unquestionably young woman had observed each other with interest. He was about thirty-fi thletic, set up like a soldier, and distinctive. Perhaps it was an air of intense preoccupation in his keen, lean face that had attracted her. She was girlish, and handsome beyond conventional descrip- tion—so attractive, in fact, that any man whose blood was not sluggish would have been diverted from serious and immediate business by her simplest glance. “A queer lot aboard, ch?" he ventured. wondering if I should have the luck to get to s “And I've been k with you!” NS TANCES 1LDRON “I’ve had a similar idea,” she replied frankly, “but we must attribute this opportunity to accident.” “Agreed. I take it you're traveling alone, as Iam.” “Fare” “To Honolulu.” “T wonder if you'd mind if I should arrange it so we may sit together at table? _I find those about me quite impossible.” “No. I’ve found one or two near me quite impertinent.” His manner had at once encouraged her wish for at least superficial protection. The sea grew rougher and they went below. After a chat, during which his deferential manner further reassured her, he left her; but throughout it all his serious expression persisted, and she determined to fathom it. On the passenger list she was Miss Bellaire. He wondered why a girl so attractive should be traveling alone. They met repeatedly, and their acquaintance quickened as the days wore on, but it seemed impossible for her, except at intervals, bring a smile to his face. She finally succeeded, however, in interesting him b nd superficiality nd one day as they stood together looking out to sea he seemed about to become sentimental. “IT may have deceived you into thinking I am unmarried,” comicbooks.com