Life, 1911-02-02 · page 32 of 52
Life — February 2, 1911 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a serialized romantic fiction story (not a political cartoon), illustrated with a decorative header showing silhouetted figures in period dress. The caption "Every Lassie Has a Laddie" suggests early 20th-century courtship humor. The story follows Billington, an anxious suitor preparing to propose to his girlfriend. The narrative explores his internal conflict: he loves her, but worries she's too sensible and practical to accept him—she "weighs things up" rationally rather than acting on emotion alone. Modern readers would recognize this as a period piece capturing Edwardian-era dating anxiety and class consciousness (note the maid, the family's "business room" reserved for formal occasions). The story's tension derives from whether a woman of intelligence and independent judgment will choose love over practicality—a surprisingly modern concern for the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“ EVERY LASSIE HAS A LADDIE,”” A Unanimous Verdict ILLINGTON was in love. And this being the night when he had elected to declare his passion, he had nerved himself for the out- come. It seemed to him, in his better mo- ments, that she must have him; but then, in his calmer intervals, he realized that there were certain things that might set her the other way—for she was by no means one of those timid, irresponsible girls that you sometimes read about in nice books. Billington thought that she had every desirable attribute; she was pretty, and in the right sort of way; she was clever and in the right sort of way; she was sen- sible and thoughtful, and splendidly com- panionable. He knew that her judgment was good, and secretly, as he thought of his own failings, this made him feel rather uncom- fortable. But when he reflected upon his sincerity, he chirked up again. After all, if he tried as hard as was in him to make her happy, why shouldn't he succeed? Then he dismissed the introspective part. “Hang it all!" he exclaimed to himself, “if she loves me, and I love her, what difference does anything else make?” He went along on this thought for several blocks, until the whole practical side of modern life bore down too hard. Love had its side, of course—they were both susceptible to it. But hadn’t she studied, and hadn't she been “around” as the saying is, and wasn’t she a practical girl who was accustomed to Icok at things from a utilitarian standpoint? And this being so, and having at the same time complete control of herself, might she not weigh things up and con- clude against him? At this moment he found himself in front of ner house, and gathering himself together, he plunged up the stairs and rang the bell. His not to reason why, his but to do and. Of course, she was in. Hadn't he arranged the matter over the telephone that morning? Wasn't it always nec- essary to do this, with a voluminous and inquisitive family like hers? The maid hung up his coat and hat for him and ushere? him into the small room on the left—the room, that, in the Reddle family had come to be known as the “ business room.” For when any member of the family was in this room, it was generally understood that no one should intrude. _Billing- ton almost shuddered as he recognized this significant fact— for once he had heard some one joke about it. So she was fully prepared. When he got up to greet her, he was intensely nervous, but instantly she made him feel at ease. He thought of this afterward, and made up his mind that this was one proof why they were fitted for each other. “You see,” she said frankly, “I have carried out your orders. You said you wanted to be sure and see me alone. and this is the room that we reserve for just such purposes.” Billington sailed off magnificently, “You mean,” he said, “that this is the room where you always receive your proposals——” He shut the door almost dramatically. “ For that is why- Ze His manner changed. “Tam really desperately in love with you—dearest,” he said. “I want to tell you about it, and I don’t quite know how.” There was a pause. “What do you say?” he continued awkwardly. Their eyes met, and she smiled. The fact was, that while she doubtless knew what was coming—for this was the end of a long series of intimacies—it was really a shock, and she couldn't recover herself instantly. (Continued on page 276) comicbooks.com