Judge, 1918-05-11 · page 15 of 36
Judge — May 11, 1918 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a romantic short story illustration, not political satire. It depicts a reconciliation between two estranged lovers: Charley (a soldier on furlough) and an unnamed woman. The narrative shows Charley visiting the woman after three months of silence following their pre-enlistment quarrel. Through dialogue at the piano, they work through misunderstandings—she didn't write because he didn't; a rival named Harry was never actually a threat. The "web" of the title refers to the emotional entanglement keeping them apart, now being unwoven through music and confession. The illustration captures the intimate moment when Charley half-kneels on the piano bench, declaring his love for her music (and implicitly, for her). This appears to be a sentimental wartime romance story typical of Judge magazine's lighter content, rather than social or political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“T Love Your Music,” He Repuiep, Hatr KNEELING ON THE SEAT Within the Web By J. A. Wa.pron Illustrated by Avbert HeNcKEe HEY had quarreled mildly just before he enlisted, and during the three months since, no communication had passed between them. Yet the very first day of his short furlough he called upon her. She sought to hide her nervousness at the piano. After Grieg’s “Humoreske,” she turned to him. “T played it dreadfully, didn’t I?” she asked. “T love your music,” he replied, half kneeling on the seat and touching a key nervously. “T haven’t played much lately. teners sufficiently appreciative, I guess. be encouraged, you know.” “You must have had listeners. to have.” “You used to listen charmingly.” “And Harry, no doubt. Does he visit you as often as formerly? You remember I quarreled with you about him.” “Oh, you and I could never really quarrel, Charley.” Haven’t had lis- One has to You always used “But we did. Gently, perhaps. Just before I went to camp. I suppose that’s why you haven’t written to me.” “But a girl doesn’t write to a chap who doesn’t write to her!” : “Perhaps I was in fault. Yet Harry has had mat- ters his own way since.” “Oh, no, he hasn’t, indeed!” “Really?” “Tru I haven’t seen him in an age!” “No?” Charley sat down beside her. She didn’t move over at all to give him reasonable room. “He took offense, I guess, at something I said to him.” “Well, what other chap or chaps have you played the ‘Humoreske’ for since I went away?” “T haven’t played it since you enlisted.” “Oh!” Charley’s hand took hers. He tried to sit still closer. There was really a lot of room if she had been willing to give upa little. She didn’t release her hand.