Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-04
The Daily Story
AN IMAGINARY FEAST-BY CLARISSA MACKIE.
Copyrighted. 1919. by Associated Literary Bureau.

Phyllis scornfully.
Let US contriye a shelter from the
tarpaulins, and you four may sit there
and play bridge. Miss Phyllis and 1
will concoct Thanksgiving feast for
you TO enjoy tomorrow"
The others shameleSsly agreed to this
unfair division of labor. and after
very practical shelter had been con-
structed against the sloping bluff and
under the shade OF two wind blown
cedars the married people made them
selves very comfortable with cushions
from the boat and by the light OF
ships lantern played bridge.
In the meantime Jack Henshaw and
Phyllis Hayden held several confer
ences. during which they displayed
much merriment and thorough con-
tentment with their lot.
They fused around a hastily impro-
vised shelter that Jack arranged fo- n
little kitchen, and there they prepared
the evening meal with the aid of the
oil stove.
creditable meal it proved - he.
though canned beans formed the prin-
cipai dish. and other canned and bot
tied delicacies rounded out the menu.
Morning brought sunshine and scud-
ding clouds across the blue sky. The
wind still blew heavily. but from an
other quarter. and the waves were
dashing over the deck of the Nautilus.
The castaways tried to be cheerful
but 1t proved a dismal failure, except
In the case of Jack and Phyllis. Those
two seemed to have tapped some re-
sourceful flow Of good humor. for
they laughed and TESTED and promised
a most inviting dinner for the others.
who chung to their bridge playing. now
sitting on the sandy beach with their
cards.
Jack and Phyllis disappeared and
were gone for a couple of hours.
While they were gone those left be-
hind heard the report of Jacks gun.
AHA! Well have duck, at any
rate" murmured Carew.
I'm afraid not" said his wife. 81
notice that the supply of oil is gone.
and the Nautilus is washed over with
water. Every stick OF wood on the
island Is too wet to burn. Cold canned
beef and crackers and peanut butter
! will constitute our menu today" she
| ended drearily
There was nothing cheering in the
sight of Jack and Phyllis returning
with a brace of ducks. for there was
no FIRE to cook them by. When this
evil news was announced to the young
pair they merely laughed and said
there was oil enough to boil coffee and
heat some beans.
Dinners readyw sang out Jack,
and they gathered about the hastily
prepared meal.
Il thought il was to be big din.
ner with trimmings" remarked Carew
as he unfolded paper napkin and
shifted hungrily at the timed soup
To the four older ones of the party
it was a CHASTITY feast. With most I'M.
seemly ievity Jack and Phyllis insist.
| ed on referring to the various timed
foods as though they were delicious
viands served at well appointed
Thanksgiving table.
do have some more turkey" insist
ed Jack. passing the timed beans
around.
And some Of the cranberry sauce"
added Phyllis. holding up bottle Of
tomato ketchup.
This chestSut stuffing is delicious"
commented Jack. nibbling a crisp
cracker. Mrs. Carew. you are not
going to pass up the mince ple?"
1--WE eaten many badly cooked
meal" observed Bob Hayden bitterly.
land I've partaken of food from Bonn
bay to Bangor. but this is the first
time I've ever eaten an imaginary
meal. 1t gives me mental indigestion
to think OF It."
Then what we all need Is exercise"
cried Jack. And. having disposed of
the remnants OF the meal by tossing
them into the swift waters of the
channel. he drove his guests before
him up the steep bank and into a
pIowed field.
This doesn't look like any OF the
islands I've met around here" raar-
veled Carew, gazing thoughtfully
around.
I'VE went good deal farther than
We realized in the fog. I'll lead you
to place. Well, ladies' and gentlemen.
welcome to Cromoref"
A surprised shout went up as they
found themselves on the hill back OF
Jack Henshaw's home. A curl of blue
smoke from the kitchen chimney bore
witness that dinner might be expected
there after all.
They looked Mt Jack for explanation.
I'VE struck the mainland instead OF
an island | haven't been In that spot
for years and didn't recognize 1t till
Phyllis and | went out this morning.
We shot a brace of ducks. and ] be-
lieve mother has prevailed upon Chloe
to include them IN the dinner
"a real dinner yelled Hayden and
Carew In chorus.
YES" Jack laughed as the two men
broke away pellmell toward the house.
Mrs. Carew and Mrs. Hayden looked
at blusbing Phyllis and happy Jack.
II believe you two have found some
thing else to be thankful for" said
Phyllis mother softly.