The courier-index., 1920-11-19
The Popcorn Man
By CECILLE LANCDON
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t0. 1920. Western Newspaper Union.)

when county eXpOSltlonS, Slreel laiA and the like brought great many o1 the outside population to the village His machine was run by little steam engine. It had a cheery whistle and filled the air with an appetizing flavor and the old fellow who passed out the salted bags with their buttered con- tents gave satisfactory value for money received.
 He rarely spoke to anybody and was usually almost enveloped in a long linen coat, a down-drawn slouch hat and he wore long bushy whiskers. The fact was discovered that they were false.
 Makeup? Yes" he freely admit ted to the curious and suspicious town marshal. "Why not? It gives me a picturesque identity, don't you see?"
 It was during the second week of the reign of the popcorn man that Hilda Brewer came down town one evening driving the family automobile. The town band was giving a concert and, parking the machine at the euro, she, like others, strolled about taking in friends, acquaintances and the nve- ly strains of music. When she saw Elsie Dover at little distance she immediately joined her. She liked El- sic and they were real friends. She liked Elsies brother, Fitch Dover, too, but she had not told anybody that. not even himself. Her first question was regarding him. He had been in the city for a month and Hilda was eager to learn how he was getting along.
 "Famously, he writes," said Elsie, ~aithough he Is dreadfully mysterious. He hasn't yet told us what he is work ing at, though papa thinks 1t is in some secret service position. Fitch wrote last week to him limiting that we had better look out for him soon, as he had a commission to execute at Easton."
 .T shall be glad to see him." admit ted HiIda. "We miss him up at the house.
 The two girls finally separated and Hilda was on her way back to the auto, when a whiff from the corn pop per revived early juvenile days and made her feel hungry. She approached the pepper which the nOndescript op- orator was moving to and fro, placed her nickel on the shelf leaf and just then her eyes met those of the pop corn man. A thrill, tremOr, a shock at the fairly impossible traversed her frame.
 "Fitch!" !" she gasped involuntarily.
 The popcorn man cast a sharp, alarmed glance all about him. Don't speak my name, don't recognize me, don't tell anybody I am here," he whispered quickly. "When give you . paper bag take it home and keep 1t safely till come and see you. Here. Pretend it Is popcorn"
 Hilda was all in quiver. It was only by gleam from those magnetic eyes of Fitch Dover that she had rec ognfzed him, despite his grotesque dis gnise. Here was mystery. secrecy, in- deed. She went back to the auto. Somehow she was greatly interested and disturbed. Was Fitch in any dan ger? She did not start up the ma chine. she knew not why. and when Fitch. through for the evening, GOV cred the popcorn wagon with a heavy piece of canvas and started away, slowly and at a distance she followed.
 Ac hn fi1rxnnl into e.tr m auto circled past her. Two men were in it. They halted as they neared Fitch, sprung out, there was a scuf- ne. They seemed to knock him sense less, picked him up. flung him into their auto and started up again.
 All of a sudden then Hilda Brewer felt herself to be the center of a vast adventure. She did not try to an- alyze It's merits. Her pulses beating tumultously, she had but one idea to keep her captive lover in sight until she could secure aid or rescue. Now, coura geous to face any peril for his dear sake. she knew that she loved him.
 IL was oPReAS oN Aiit tMO Altn iCAl the town behind that they noticed the pursuit. At all events they speeded up terrifically as they struck the open road. Hilda all in a flutter could only think of keeping them in view. AS they turned a sharp curve they were momentarily lost to view. She shud- dered and shrank down as a crash echoed out. Circling the curve she brought the machine to a halt.
 The other machine lay overturned in a ditch, the two men under it. Flung free from it, Fitch revived from his first assault and was staggering wildly about. Vaguely and then won deringly he recognized Hilda.
 "Get to the nearest telephone. sum- mon the police at Easton," he qua yered. and sank to the ground from sheer shock and weakness.
 What a story he had to tell when back to normal in a day or two. The real popcorn man had been the leader of a gang of burglars who were in festing the district, giving them tips