The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1935-07-18
Tt Was Somebodies'
Birthday
By JAMES BOSTON
@ Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
wNU Service.

- nervous breakdown. 1t was
quite simple, really. Nerves like
guitar strings, dull ''thump-thump"
where his heart should be and
then, hallucinationsi
That had decided the matter. Cold
sweats and twanging nerves were
one thing-seeing things that didn't,
and shouldn't exist, was another.
So Joseph Whiting was setting
out for q peaceful sojourn in the
wilds Of the Canadian Rockies.
His doctor had advised sternly that
it was "the only thing"-and Joseph
Whiting was beginning to feel that
"the only thing" wasn't such a bad
thing, after all.
He almost felt himself relaxing
as he reclined luxuriously In the
comfortable lobby of one Of To.
ronto's finest family hotels.
Languidly he watched the people
passing in and out of the revolv-
ing front door. He observed with
awakening interest the graceful
progress of young girl who swung
in gaily with her escort, and watched
her until she had passed into the
sumptuous banquet hall at the other
end of the lobby. He noted with
feeling of pleasure and apprecia-
ton her tall, graceful figure, her VI
vacious smile and the delightful
quality Of her fresh, brunette beau
ty. He appraised her evening at
tire approyingly; the striking con-
trast of red spangled evening dress
and red satin slippers against a
black velvet evening wrap.
Joseph Whiting turned his head
back sleepily toward the revolving
door, then started.
Another young girl was entering,
chatting merrily with her male
companions young girl, tall, de-
lightfully brunette, and attired In a
red spangled evening dress, red
satin slippers and a black velvet
evening wrap.
The victim Of nerves and hallu-
cination stared wildly, fixedly, at
the beautiful apparition until 1t
disappeared into the banquet hall.
Grimly trying to keep his nerves
under control, Joseph Whiting
again turned his head toward the
revolving door. .r
Two young girls were entering.
They were tall, beautifully bru-
nette-and CARRIED in red spangled
evening dresses, red satin slippers
and black velvet evening wraps.
They were as alike In appearance
as two peas, and identical with
those other two young girls who
had just passed into the banquet
hall!
Joseph whiting groaned-and col
lapsed.
An elderly gentleman in full eve
ming dress was brought hurriedly
from the banquet room. He assert
ed his professional authority by TAX
ing the bundle of nerves by the
wrist. The rest was routine.
"There," he said finally, as he
took off his glasses and surveyed
his rueful patient, show do You feel
now?" 49,
Joseph Whiting cast an apprehen-
sive glance toward the revolving
door, then managed sickly smile.
81 guess I'm all right now, DOCTOR"
he murmured, embarrassed. Thanks
for fixing me up"
Suddenly Joseph Whiting stiffened
and jerked erect. He gripped the
arm of his chair and turned wide
eyed stare full on the revolving
door.
A young girl Of tall, brunette
loneliness was entering with her
escort. She was attired in a becom-
ing ensemble of-red spangled eve
ming dress, red satin slippers and
a black evening wrap.
With cry, the victim Of "thump-
thump" sprang to his feet and
swooned over smoking stand.
Some minutes later, Joseph
Whiting ventured to open one eye.
then the other. But what he saw
caused him to close them with a
groan.
Slowly he opened them again and
gazed unbelievingly at the five young
girls grouped solicftously, around
his chair. He observed with sink
ing feeling, that they were attired
in red spangled evening dresses, red
satin slippers and black velvet eve
ming wraps. He couldn't help MOTTO
ing, too, that they were beautiful,
tall and dark--and as maddeningly.
unreasoningly alike as five peas!
Joseph Whiting felt himself
wreck, and about to break.
"You have quite a case of
nerves." commented the good doc
tor. Then, as he observed his pa.
tents fascinated gaze and its fair
objects, the doctor paused.
Perhaps you would like to meet
the young ladies who helped to
bring you to-" he suggested pleas.
antly. "May 1 present-Marie, Ann.
cite, Yvonne, Emile and Cecile Di.
onne? / am Doctor Dafoe."