The Wasp, 1918 · page 115 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 115: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **serialized fiction**, not a political cartoon. It's an excerpt from a romantic narrative set in Nevis (a Caribbean island), describing romantic entanglements among colonial officers and residents. The plot involves a woman named Kitty Trimmer whose arrival creates romantic competition among multiple men, including two central characters: Stanton and Burnham. Burnham is emotionally conflicted—torn between pursuing Elizabeth (the governor's daughter, presumably for social advancement) and his rekindled feelings for Kitty. Stanton responds to the rivalry with jealousy and drinking. The satirical point appears social rather than political: the story mocks masculine rivalry, emotional instability, and how a woman's presence disrupts rational self-interest among men. The magazine appears to be using this serial fiction for entertainment and social commentary on Victorian romantic entanglements rather than direct political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
106. THE WASP charms of Elizabeth with his mind rather than his heart. His nature was more responsive to the glittering attractions of little “Kitty ~ Trimmer. Burnham met Kitty formally that same even- ing. He bowed low over her hand and silently — ‘cursed the trick of fate that had brought her to Nevis; for he had loved her, in his own peculiar way, and was now confused to find that the old fire was still burning strongly. Three weeks passed; and during that time Kitty Trimmer made no small stir in the island. Young Mr. Willis, the surgeon, fell in love with her. Captain Sterling, a wealthy planter and a widower of some years’ standing, did the same ; and so did half a dozen midshipmen from the frigate and half a dozen ensigns and lieutenants of the regiment. Stanton and Burnham were stillin that same state. Stanton tortured his heart with jealous fears and befuddled his brain with strong . waters. Burnham hung in the wind, torn between sanity and madness, between cool plans for his advance- ment and establishment in life and a hot desire to follow his inclinations. In this temper he made no progress in his affair with the governor’s daughter, though he Eomicbooksicom :