The Opelousas courier., 1883-11-10
THE HOUSE OPPOSITE.

At the death of her brother Wilfred,
Viva de Forest felt broken-hearted.
He had been her only near living rel
alive. The news of his death had
come to her with fearful %suddenness.
Called to a Western city for the pur-
pose of experimenting some business
connected with the estate of his late
father, Wilfred (who sometimes,
though rarely, had periods Of dis
sipation) was shot in a barroom quar-
rel.
Poor Viva had suffered terribly.
The funeral wassover now, and the
dull quietude of her present life had a
monotony which almost made her
long for the more exciting %painfulness
of the previous week.
A distant cousin of hers, an elderly.
lady, had come to live with her in the
large family mansion, which was now
Viyia's exclusive property. But old
Winifred Carr was rather doleful COM
pany.
To-day it had rained dismally from
dawn until late in the afternoon. vi
via could not fix her thoughts very
long upon the books she was reading.
In spite of herself they would some
how wander back to recollections of
her dear lost brother, of their childish
life together, and of the untimely
death which had parted them now.
Several times during the day Viva
went to the window and looked out
upon the rainy street.
In the house directly opposite was
n special window, where, ever since
morning, she had seen a girl of her
own age.
The girl was very pale, and wore an
expression of undoubted worriment.
Sometimes Viva thought that she
gazed toward her own window, with a
wistful, appealing look.
She had known, in years past, the
previous occupants of this house, but
it had recently passed into other hands,
and she had never heard the name of
the people who had taken it. Now
and then the pale girl whose sad locks
had to-day attracted her notice, had
been before seer by Viva, while as
cending OF descending the stoop. But
she had never seemed as troubled as at
present.
II wonder what her trouble is
thought Viva. "Ah, / am sure it is
not as bitter as minel"
She started while this thought was
crossing her brain, for the girl oppo-
site had made with one hand a quick,
reckoning gesture, that there seemed
no mistaking. And after having made
such gesture she had hastily left the
window.
In about ten minutes she returned
again, however. Viva was waiting
for her. IL ever girl had a kindly
heart in her breast, that girl was vi
via de Forest. She now made signs
which plainly indicated:
'sDo you wish me to come over?"
An eager nodding Of the head gave
emphatic Affirmative to this silent
question.
.sShe is in trouble" thought Viva.
q may do some good; I will go!'
The rain had stopped. It was now
almost nightfa'l. Viva threw a dark
shawl about her shoulders to defend
her against the raw December wind,
and ran across the street. She had not
to ring the bell. The door was opened
AS she reached the top step of the
stoop. The pale girl opened it herself.
1T was SO good of you to come she
said, while her dark, sad eyes swept
Vivia's face as they stood in the hall
together.
II hope I can be of some service to
you." Viva answered. "You seem to
be III trouble. / know myself what
trouble Is. Pray tell me how | can
help YOU
They were presently seated togeth-
or, and the girl had taken n of vi
via's hands between both her own.
III have d brother, here in this
house" 2 she said, aWho is pursued b,
the police. He wishes to escape
Once in a foreign land, he can eludt
the laws vigilance. I am quite alone
beinga an orphan, and only having Hugh
to love and care for out of all thu
world. / wanted to fly with him, bu1
that. he says, is impossible. He vii
not hear Of #. though he promises t
write for me To join him after he il
safely beyond pursuit.
and what crime has he commit
tedP' asked Viva.
ssOh. it was no crime answered til,
girl. aHe has been falsely accused o
murder
falsely accused. nnurmured Viva
how ferrihlel Have they convictes