The morning call., 1892-11-14
THE HOUSE OPPOSITE.

At the death OF Der brother Wilfred, Viva
de Forest felt broken hearted. He had
been her only near living relative. Tie
news OF his death had come to her with fear
ful suddenness. Called TO Western city
for the purpose of experimenting some
business connected with the estate of his
father, Wilfred-who sometimes, though
rarely, had periods of dissipation-was shot
in barroom quarrel.
Poor Viva had suffered terribly. The
funeral was now over, and the dull quietude
of her present life had a m0notony which
almost made her long for the more exciting
painfulness of the preceding week
A distant cousin of hers, ar elderly lady,
had come 10 live with her In the large fam
lily mansion, which was now Vivia's exclu-
sive property. But old Winifred Carr was
rather doleful company for her.
To-day it had rained dismaliy from dawn
until late in the afternoon. VIVA could
not fix her thoughts very long upon the
book she was reading. In spite of herself
they would some how wander back 10 recol-
lecrions Of her dear lost brother, of their
childish life together and Of the untmely
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
one special window, where. ever since morn
Ing, she had seen girl about her own age.
Ale girl was very pale and wore an eX-
preston of undOubted worTiment. Some
times Viva thought that she gaZed to-
ward her own window, with q wistful, ap-
peallng 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 il. Now aud then the pale
girl whose sad looks had to-day attracted
her notice had been seen before by Viva
u Fln linz 4 4
But she had never seemed as troubled as at
present.
u wonder what her trouble Is" thought
Viva. Il am sure it is not as bitter as
mine"
She started while this thought was cross
ing her brain, for the girl opposite had
made with one hand q quick, reckoning
gesture. that there seemed no mistaklng,
aud after having made such gesture she
had hastily left the window.
In about ten minutes she returned again,
however. Viva was waiting for her. If
ever girl had kindly heart In her breast
that girl was Viva de Forest. She now
made signs that plainly indicated.
do you wish me to come overY'
An eager nodding Of the head gave an
emphatic affirmative to this silent question:
She is in trouble" thought Viva. II
may do some good; will &C to her,"
The rain had stopped. 1t was now al
most nightfall. Viva threw dark shawl
over her shoulders TO defend her against
the raw December wind and ran across the
street. She did not ring the bell. The door
was opened she reached the top step of
the st0op. The pale girl opened it herself.
ut was so good of You to come" she
said, while her dark eyes swept Viyia's
face.
Il hope can be Of some service TO you"
Viva answered. You seem to be In
trouble. | know what trouble is. Pray
tell ME how / can help you"
They were presently seated together and
the girl had taken one OF Fiyia's hands be-
tween both her own.
81 have q brother, here In this house." she
said, who is pursued by the police. de
wishes TO escape. Once in foreign land,
he can elude the laws vigilance. lam quite
alone. being an orphan. ana only having
Hugh to love and care for, out OF all the
world / wanted TO fly with him, but that,
he saws. is Impossible He will not hear Of
il. though he promises to write for me to
join him after he is safely beyond pur-
suit"
asked Viva.
"Uh. it was no crime" answered the
girl. "He has been falsely accused OF
FALSELY accused.' murmured Viva;
show terriblel Have they convicted him P''
mo; he mas not been tried yet. He was
In ST. Louis only short time ago, when a
friend of his, from whom he had but re-
Gently parted, was found killed in his hotel.
Hugh was arrested on the charge Of having
murdered hin, but escaped"
"And why should he not have faced his
false accusers 2" questioned Viva. Was he
afraid TO do SO ?"
NO." said voice In the doorway.
Viva looked in the direction whence the
voice had come. A very handsome young
man, though worn and haggard-looking, had
iist entered. 1t was hugh.
3" see, Ella" he said. THAT you are try
s4g to enlist the sympathies Of this lady In
my behalf. But have you thought of what
hTeckless thing you are doing?"
"You need not feel any fear of me, sir"
said Viva, quietly. 81 should have no
motive in betraying you, even though /
thought you guilty."
Hugh is as innocent as lamp exclaimed
bis sister. in plaintive, fearful voice.
The young man was now close to Vivia's
side. The dmpess of the room had not
previously let her see how handsome he
was. He fixed his darkly brilliant eyes on
Vivia's face and said:
''If | had passed through trial might
have been sure that circumstantial evidence
would have convicted me. Can you under
stand this, Miss de Forest?"
YES" said Viva; but surely, IL you
are innocent. 1t would have been better 10
suffer conviction than go through the rest
of your life fugitive from Justice"
II do not think SOP cried Ella. at thjs
point. II would have him live at any cost I"
More than an hour elapsed before Viva
went home again. And she visited that
house many times more during the next few
weeks. Both she and Ella believed that
her entrances and exits were watched, and
that HUgh's presence there was suspected
by certain spies posted in the ne!ghborhood
but they were not by any means sure.
BY this time Viva had silently admitted
to her own heart that she loved Hugh Rob
ertson. 1t had been love at first sight
with her. His beauty and his melancholy
fate bad both produced disastrous results