Judge, 1918-11-23 · page 13 of 32
Judge — November 23, 1918 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "A Futile Jealousy" - Context for Modern Readers This is the opening of a serialized short story (not a political cartoon) in *Judge* magazine, illustrated by Lawrence Fellows. The narrative concerns John Oakwood, a wealthy widower and public figure involved in war-related government work, who receives a mysterious letter from an attractive stranger, Madame Hélène Rogier. Rogier presents herself as a Belgian widow of fortune fleeing wartime terrors—a socially plausible cover story given WWI's displacement of European refugees. She carries credentials from a trusted London contact and seeks Oakwood's help introducing her to "desirable persons." The setup suggests a seduction or con-artist plot typical of 1910s-1920s pulp fiction: an attractive foreign woman of unclear background targeting a respectable, unattached man in a position of influence. The story's title promises romantic jealousy will ensue. The illustration's caption—"More Than Once She Encouraged Him With a Glance"—confirms the manipulative flirtation angle.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“More A Futile Tuan Oxce Sut Illustration b OHN OAKWOOD, a widower of middle age, and a leader in fortune and public affairs, sat in his library one morning awaiting a caller, a stranger whose letter he had received in the final mail the previous evening with a mass of other matter is chairmanship of one of the vital organiza- Government in relating to h tions of prominent men assisting the War matters Oakwood’s practical problems were forgotten for the moment as he studied the letter of the stranger. Its chirography was as fine as an engraver’s work, it was written on the dainty paper which a great metropolitan hotel furnishes women and it was signed “Héléne Rogier,” who simply said that she would call upon him in the morning and present credentials for acquaintance. While Oakwood was still studying the letter curi- guests, Excouracep Him Worn LAWRENCE , Giance” Jealousy By J. A. Wauprox Fetiows Héléne Rogier was announced. She was a very attractive woman, apparently under thirty, dressed richly and with rare taste, and the distinction of her manner emphasized her beauty. Mfter formal greeting Oakwood’s visitor handed him a letter of introduction. It was from a prominent man in London in whom Oakwood had confidence, and was accepted without question and with but a super- ficial perusal. It said that Madame Rogier was a Bel- gian widow of great fortune before the war and still of ample means; that in order to escape tne terrors to which she had long been subjected she had decided to reside in New York; and it bespoke the good offices of Oakwood as a favor to the writer “Tam an utter stranger here,” said Madame Rogier, “and hope you may introduce me to desirable persons. One in my station in such circumstances usually brings ous! comicbooks.com