Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-04-23
PEANUT
BY RUTH WOLF.

she had been adopted as the office mas
cot from the day Of her arrival she
was a capable worker however, and
very soon made herself respected for
her gray natter among the large
staff Of clerks 10 the big office OF
Wheeler & Co, architects.
A too-famlliar office boy had smil-
ingly saluted her as Babe" on her sec
ond morning in the Office, but her
freezingly disdainfuI reply had put
an end to that Immediately. However,
after she had been there some time, II
was discovered that she had a great
fondnesS for peanuts-"Peanut," she
therefore became to the entire Office,
and Peanut she remained to the end
of the chapter.
1t was n rainy. slushy morning and
Peanut, almost late made vain eff
fort to put her umbrella on top Of her
locker to dry.
Guess you need some help, child"
said aNcheery masculine voice behind
her, and Peanut startled by unexpect
Ell sound, wheeled around sharply.
The old locker at best none too steady,
lurched forward and crashed to the
floor
With warning cry, the man leaped
forward, and with one arm shooting
out, sent Peanut sprawlng and safely
out of harms way. Not so fortunate,
her rescuer, however, for the heavy
al rerot I, hn
could get out of the way, and sent him
to the floor, his leg pinned fast
"Oh, please, please lie STILL" she
begged, "and I'll try to get you out"
and in spite of his pain the young
mans eyes twin,ied-for the locker
was like mountain beside the girl.
Guess you'll never move that thing"
he said; "but I'll be quiet. and you run
downstairs and get some one up here
to help" And Peanut rushed away.
1t proved to be nothing worse than a
wrenched ankle that resulted from the
accident. It was very subdued Pea
nut who clicked at her typewriter keys
all that morning and although the
news of the accident had spread like
wildfire all over the office, no one as
of the hero.
ut was no one | had ever seen
around here before" confided Peanut
to the other girls in her section, but
Tn going into Mr. WheeIer's room at
noon to inquire about him. feel that
it's my duty"
So she raped timidly at her en-
ployer's office door, and In response
to low-voiced Come in," Peanut en-
tered
She stopped short in amazement at
the sight which met her eyes. There
sat her rescuer of The morning, com
fortably leaning back In a big office
chair, smoking a cigar--his bandaged
foot resting on low stool Opposite
him sat Mr.. Wheeler (regarded as
most stern and unapproachable man
by all the office force) just as comfor-
tably seated, and smoking just as CON
tentedly. Peanut gazed from one to
the other, her confusion growing great
er every moment, and sending most
becoming flush into her cheeks.
'1-er-I came" she stammered.
"And am very glad you did" fin-
ished the younger of the two men, smil-
ing Nov. dad you can properly in
troduce me to this young lady. whom
l handled somewhat roughly this morn
ing"
10 fC ms
Ted, one of our most capable clerks
Miss Pierce, this young man is my son,
who thought to surprise me with Wis
1t today-and succeeded admirably"
"0h, Mr.. Wheeler ! am so sorry !"
exclaimed the girl earnestly; ut really
was all my fault, and it's too bad that
your son should have to suffer for
my stupidity"
"Why, dad" said Ted, 81 gave poor
Miss Pierce such a push It nearly land
ed her in the middle of next week"
Yes, true enough" answered his ia
ther, with a twinkle in his usually
keen, gray eyes. II believe I've heard
the name Peanut In connection with
Miss Pierce" And Ted WheeIer's eyes
began to dance
ooh, Mr. Wheeler--that's lust a nick
name the girls gave me- never
dreamed that you knew about IT,"
swell, Junior. I'm going downstairs
to get the machine and take you
home" said Wheeler, senior. "T'n leave
Miss Pierce here to help you get ready
and I'll be back shortly" And he
left them
IF you'll tell me where your hat and
coat are. I'll get them for you, Mr..
Wheeler" and the young man pointed
to a closet in the corner OF the office.
Marjorie brought them aud silently
helped the junior Wheeler into his III.
ster. He moved 0bedienuy as she
directed. SO that size could button IL
as he sat In the CHAIR
you'd make capital nurse. Miss
Pierce" he commented
"Oh. bur Mr. Wheeler, please let me
do something for you while you are at
home. Can't ! get you something 10
helm Won mass the time so Won vontt