The Wasp, 1918 · page 126 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 126: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains text from what appears to be a serialized fictional story rather than a political cartoon. It depicts a dramatic romantic encounter between James Burnham and a woman named Kitty (or the character being called that) near Nevis. The narrative describes Burnham attempting to seduce or elope with the woman, who feigns compliance before screaming—apparently signaling three men lying in ambush. The woman escapes on horseback while Burnham is left unarmed and outwitted. The story involves themes of seduction, betrayal, and frontier/colonial adventure (the Nevis setting suggests a Caribbean locale). Without additional context about the publication date or the ongoing serial, the specific satirical or political target remains unclear. This may parody contemporary romance fiction conventions or particular literary tropes of the era, though the page alone doesn't reveal the intended satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 117 _ that rides defeat, you and I. I was born with teeth, as some play-writer has said of some king. Come away from Nevis with me and I swear that I will make you my wife, my pretty ! ” He slipped his left arm about her slender waist as she sat in the saddle. . “You must let me go,” she whispered ; but she neither struggled in his. embrace nor urged © the pony forward or aside. ~ . Had his mind not been dulled by the heat of his blood, he would have suspected a trick of some kind ; but he laughed, clasped her in both arms, and drew her tantalizing face downward and sidewise to his. The docile pony did not move. The young woman did not resist; but suddenly, turning her face a little so that Burn- ham’s lips were upon one of her smooth cheeks, she screamed. Then James Burnham’s wits flashed awake, and he sprang back from the trail as if he had been stung. ‘The brief tropic twilight had slipped away and the white stars were shining. Three men, afoot, rushed at him; and Kitty lashed the pony and went up the track at.a hand-gallop. Burnham was unarmed. Rage boiled in him to the verge of madness. She had tricked him again, even while his lips were upon her face! comichooks.com