The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-01-02
OVER THE
HILL

dered II Il ended there or II u kept
on and on.
Perhaps II he should follow Il a long
way. It would take him where his
pretty mamma was His Aunt Kate
wasn't pretty. and though she took
good care OF him. be didn't Ike her a
bit And there vas his papa. who was
doctor and knew a whole lot. but a
papa isn't like a mamma. somehow.
Boys always thought more Of their
mammas-at least boys OF seven did.
II was hard enough for a little boy
not TO have a mamma, but Il was lots
harder to have one aad not know where
she was.
For two years Davy had not seen his
pretty mamma. He remembered
vaguely that one morning he 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 be had neard his papa
say once to Aunt Kate
IT would not have been 50 hard Il
she had died.
He had decided then that bis
mamma had gone a long way OF and
left him and his papa. At that time
they had lived In the city; but the
next summer bis papa had sent bin
20 see his Aunt Kate and somehow be
had stayed with her ever since. This
wear bis father had moved into the
country. ard now had a large practice
Davy was not happy His aunt
wouldn't let him do what he wanted 70
Il was a fancy Of his that sometime he
should ind his pretty mamma Il only
Aunt Kate would allow him to look foI
her. and It seemed 10 him that II be
should follow the road over the hill
she would be waiting for hin
somewhere. But he had never had a
chance 10 try until to-day. when his
Aunt Kate was called to see a sick
neighbor.
Then Davy quickly decided that be
would follow the white road over the
hill. until he had found his mamma.
Il was the hottest day OF the season
and the sun beat mercilessly down on
the little figure as II trudged bravely
along. After awhile Davy grew very
tired. but he stil kept on. When he
reached the steep hill which he had Sc
often looked at nom q distance hs
was nearly exhausted. but he only
stopped 70 rest for moment
Then he started to climb It It was
hard work for the little chap. but final
" be stood on the summit. Just 3 1T
tie way IN the distance was a summer
hotel IS be drew near be could see
ladies IN white linen fitting about. and
gentlemen IN aannels.
Davy's face was flushed and his
throat parched and although he Wa
usually timid with strangers. he de
termined he would ask the lady who
was sitting under a tree with q tall
dark man bending over her. for q
drink OF water
They were talking In low tones and
did not see Dayy as he approached. He
would wait a minute. he thought. be
fore he spoke. for he did not want "a
interrupt them. The little boy had
not seen the man who had ascended
the hill a little behind him. and who
now stood only a few feet away.
why do you follow me from placs
to placer" the lady was saying. Davy
could not see her face. but somehow
he was sure he would Ike her. He
did not like the looks OF the tall DARK
man at all
you know r." began the man. But
the lady, to silence him, put out her
hand; and It looked 50 soft and white,
that Davy wished she would rest I;
Just one minute on bis cheeks which
we're burning as they had never burned
before.
You spoiled my whole life" she
went on. eIs that not enoughf You
made my husband believe that I was
false to him. ! tried to explain. but
he would not listen to me had 10
leave my home-my little child !
came here so l could be near him. SO
that | might see him perhaps, some
times-and now you follow me Why
do you persecute me so? You know !
despise you
There was a 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 smile he fell unconscious into
her outstretched arms. Pretty nam
ma" he had murmured.
When Davy awoke to consciousness
he was lying with his head on his
mammals lap, and his papa was there.
too. The tall dark man had gone
away.
How do you feel now?" asked his
papa. Il guess the heat was too much
for you"
"Oh, I'm all right, said Davy. He
would show his pretty mamma how
brave he was. and he struggled to his
feet, but as he tottered little, his pa
pa took him up in his arms. For a
moment he felt ashamed that his