her;--and I thought perhaps it was something interesting."

"So it is," said Dr. Carr, drawing her on to his knee. "I've a mind to
tell you about it, Katy, because you're old enough to see how beautiful
it is, and wise enough (I hope) not to chatter or ask questions. Alex is
the name of somebody who, long ago, when Cousin Helen was well and
strong, she loved, and expected to marry."

"Oh! why didn't she?" cried Katy.

"She met with a dreadful accident," continued Dr. Carr. "For a long time
they thought she would die. Then she grew slowly better, and the doctors
told her that she might live a good many years, but that she would have
to lie on her sofa always, and be helpless, and a cripple.

"Alex felt dreadfully when he heard this. He wanted to marry Cousin
Helen just the same, and be her nurse, and take care of her always; but
she would not consent. She broke the engagement, and told him that some
day she hoped he would love somebody else well enough to marry her. So
after a good many years, he did, and now he and his wife live next door
to Cousin Helen, and are her dearest friends. Their little girl is named
'Helen.' All their plans are talked over with her, and there is nobody
in the world they think so much of."

"But doesn't it make Cousin Helen feel bad, when she sees them walking
about and enjoying themselves, and she can't move?" asked Katy.

"No," said Dr. Carr, "it doesn't, because Cousin Helen is half an angel
already, and loves other people better than herself. I'm very glad she
could come here for once. She's an example to us all, Katy, and I