on.

"Now, Marty," cautioned her mother, "don't you say anything about it to
Jennie. Just let Cousin Alice do it in her own nice way."

"A thousand thanks," said Cousin Alice with her gay laugh. "I'll be sure
to do my prettiest after that."

When they made the visit, however, it was found useless to mention
crocheting or any other subject to Jennie. Her attention was altogether
absorbed by the doll. Mrs. Scott happened to be at home, and while she
was bustling around getting chairs for her visitors and Marty was
introducing her cousin, Jennie never took her eyes from Laura Amelia.
Presently she said in a trembling voice,

"May I hold your doll a minute?"

"I brought her for you," said Marty, handing the doll.

"For me to hold a minute?"

"No; to keep. She's your dolly now."

Jennie looked perfectly bewildered at first, and then when she began to
understand the matter she clasped the doll in her arms and burst into
tears.

Marty was very much frightened. "Oh! don't let her cry," she said to
Mrs. Scott. "It will make her sick."

"Never mind, missy; she'll soon be all right. Come now Jennie, don't
cry. Sit up and thank the little lady for the beautiful present. But
it's too much to give her. Who'd ha' thought of you bringing such a
handsome doll! And just what she's always wanted but never looked to
having. I'm sure I don't know how to thank you," and the poor woman
threatened to follow Jennie's example, and cry over their good fortune.

Then Cousin Alice came to the rescue by suggesting that Marty should
tell Jennie the doll's name and show her wardrobe. The little girls were
soon chattering over the contents of the box, and Miss Alice learned
from Mrs. Scott that the doctor had been to see Jennie. He said he saw
no reason why with proper treatment she should not become well again,
though it was likely she would always be somewhat lame and perhaps never
very strong. He had sent her strengthening medicine and said she must
drink milk every day.

Then began better times for Jennie than she had ever had in her life
before. First, as she would have said herself, there was the doll to
love and cherish, to dress and undress, to talk to and to put to sleep.
Then there were the books and pictures, for between Marty and Edith, who
also came, her stock of them increased rapidly. Then there was the
decrease of pain and the increase of strength, for what with the
bathings and rubbings that the doctor ordered, and the n