Mary Helen and The Dragon by Louise Roedocker was published in the May 1946 edition of Woman’s Home Companion. This girl meets boy short story included the illustration you see here by Carl Setter.
This illustration was typical for mid-century Women’s magazines. Carl Setter was one of many talented illustrators whose work mostly always included sex appeal. The image and setting are a bit disturbing, but rest assured that the story has a mid-century happy ending. I have scanned the 5 pages of the story that were spread throughout the magazine and included it as a download below.
Midcenturypage.com features magazine content from the baby boomer years of 1946 to 1964. American culture from this span of years evolved significantly from one decade to the next. Here’s a look at the cover page and table of contents from this 1946 edition. Its revealing to look at the table of contents. Note that this issue includes 5 short stories and 2 serials. Shall we assume that magazine short stories and serials were an easy way to be entertained while relaxing at home in an era before television?
Mid-Century Page 
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