The Snowflake herald., 1920-04-02
PEANUT
BY RUTH WOLF.

She was little bit of a thing, not
more than four feet ten in height and
she had been adopted as the office mas
cot from the day Of her arrival. She
was capable worker, however. and
very soon made herself respected for
her gray matter among the large
stan OF clerks in the big office Of
Wheeler 4 Co.. architects.
too-famliar office boy had smil-
ingly Saluted her as Babe" on her Sec
ond morning in the office, but her
freezingly disdainful reply had put
an end to that Immediately. However
after she had been there some time. if
was discovered that she rad 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 a rainy. slushy morning and
Peanut. almost late, made a vain eff
fort to put her umbrella on top of her
locker to dry.
Guess you need some help. child"
said CHEEKY masculine voice behind
her and Peanut startled by unexpect
ed 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 Sprawiing ard safely
out of harms way. Not so fortunate
her reScUer however, for the heavy
locker as il fell. caught him before he
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 twinkled-for the locker
was like a mountain beside the girl
Guess you'n never move that thing"
he said 'hut I'll he quiet, and you run
downstairs and get some one up here
to help" And Peanut rushed away.
Il proved to be nothing worse than a
wrenched ankle that resulted from the
accident. It was a very suhdued 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
vet had been able to learn the name
of the hero
at was no one | had ever seen
around here before" confded Peanut
to the other girls in her section. "but
I'm going into Mr. Wheelers room at
noon to inquire about him. feel that
It's my duty"
SO sne raped timdly at her en-
plcyer's Office door. and in response
TO 8 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 a low stool. Opposite
him sat Mr.. Wheeler (regarded as
most stern and unapproaCnabIe man
by all the office force) just as comfor-
tally seated and smoking Just as CON
tentedly. Peanut ga2ed from one to
the other, her confusion growing great
er every moment and sending a most
becoming flush into her cheeks.
"T-er-I came" she stammered.
"And I am very glad Eou did" fin
ished the younger of the two men, smil-
ing. Now dad. you can properly in
troduce me to this young lady. whom
handled somewhat roughly this morn
ing"
"Ahem, this is Miss Marjorie Pierce,
Ted. one of our most capable clerks.
Miss Pierce. this Young man is my son,
who thought to surprise me with a Wis
II today-and succeeded admirably"
ooh. Mr.. Wheeler. | am so sorry ~
exclaimed the girl earnestly; "it 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
Mss Pierce such a push il nearly land
ed her in the middle of next week"
YES. true enough" answered his ia
ther. with twinkle in his usuaIlr
Keen, gray eyes. ~ believe I've heard
the name Peanut in connection with
Miss Pierce" And Ted Wheeler's eyes
began to dance
"Oh Mr. Wheeler-that's just a nick
name the girls gave me- never
dreamed that you knew about it."
We'll. Junior I'm going downstairs
to get the machine and take you
home" said Wheeler. senior. "Fll leave
Mss Pierce here to help you get ready
land I'll be back shortly" And he
left them.
'If you'll tell me where your hat and
coat are. III get them for you, Mr..
Wheeler" and the young man pointed
to a closet in the corner of the office.
Marjorie brought them and silently
helped the Junior Wheeler into his ul-
Ster He moved obediently as she
directed SO that she could button 1t
as he sat in the chair.
YOU'D make capital nurse Miss