Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-11-25
OVER !:!?! THE
HILL

| which passed his aunt's house. no
knew that 1t led to the village. Tor no
had been there. and he could see II
on the hill In the distance. he won.
| dered II 1t ended there or II IL kept
| on and on.
Perhaps II he should follow II long
way. II would take him where Ms
tretty mamma was. His Aunt Kate
wasn't pretty. and though she took
good care of him. he didn't Ike her o
bit. And there was his papa. who was
| a doctor and knew whole LOT. out
papa isn't like a mamma. somehow.
Boys always thought more OF their
mammas--at least boys OF seven n'd.
I. was hard enough for little boy
not to have q mamma. but 1t was lots
harder to have one and not know where
she was.
For two years Davy had not seen his
pretty mamma He remembered
vaguely that one morning ne had asked
for her. and his father. with grave
face, had told him that he couldn't see
her any more. He knew that she
wasn't dead. for ne had heard his papa
say once to Aunt Kate:
1T would not have been 30 hard II
she had died"
He had decided then that his
mamma had gone "A long way on ana
left him and his papa. At that time
they had lived In the city: but the
next summer his papa had sent MIN
to see his Aunt Kate and somehow he
had stayed with her ever since. This
year his father had moved Into the
country, and now had large practice.
Davy was not happy. His aunt
wouldn't let him do what he wanted TO-
1t was fancy OF his that sometime he
should find his pretty mamma II only
Aunt Kate would allow him to look for
should follow the road over the hill
she would be waiting for him
somewhere But he had never had
chance to try until to-day. when his
Aunt Kate was called to see q sick
neiGhbor.
Then Davy quickly decided that he
would follow the white road over the
hill. until he had found his mamma.
1t was the hottest day OF the season.
and the sun beat mercilessly down on
the little figure as 1t trudged bravely
along. After awhile Davy grew very
tired. but he still kept on. When he
reached the steep hill which he had so
often looked at from distance he
was nearly exhausted. but he only
stopped to rest for a moment.
Then he started to climb 1t. 1t was
hard work for the little chap. but final
ly he stood on the summit Just q III
tie way in the distance was summer
hotel. AS he drew near he could see
ladies' in white linen fitting about. and
gentlemen In flahnels.
Davy's face was flushed and his
throat parchcd. and although he was
usually timid with strangers. he de-
termined he would ask the lady who
was sitting under q tree with q tall.
dark man bending over her. for a
drink OF water.
They were talking in low tones and
did not see Davy as he approached. He
would wait a minute. he thought. be-
fore he spoke, for he did not want to
interrupt them. The little boy had
not seen the man who had assembled
the hill a little behind him. and who
now stood only few feet away.
Why do you follow me from place
to place." the lady was saying. Davy
could not see her face. but somehow
he was sure he would like her He
did not like the looks Of the tall dark
man at all
You know l." began the man. But
the lady. to silence him. put out her
hand: and 1t looked 80 soft and white.
that Davy wished she would rest It
just one minute on his cheeks which
J were burning as they had never burned
before.
You spoiled my whole life." she
went on. rs that not enough? You
made my husband believe that I was
false to him tried to explain, but
he would not listen to me. l had to
leave my home-my little child. II
came here so I could be near him. SO
that I might see him perhaps. some
times-and now you follow me. Why
do you prosecute me 50? You know
despise you"
There was Q silence; and Davy
| stepped forward with uncertain steps
| What made his head feel so queer?
The lady rose suddenly to her feet.
and as she saw Davy she gave a glad
| little cry He took another step: then
| with a smile he fcl! unconscious into
her outstretched arms Pretty nam
| ma" he had murmured.
When Davy awoke to consciousness
he was lying with his head on his
mamma's lap. and hts papa Was there.