as Mr. Wharton inferred from what she said, he was a wild,
unsteady youth, and he had wandered from his home some years before, and
gone far west towards the Mississippi. For some time they continued to
hear from him, but he had long since ceased to write. She feared that he
was dead; but sometimes she had a strong hope, which seemed like a
presentiment to her, that she should yet look upon his face on earth;
and in this hope, she continued still occasionally to direct letters to
the spot from which he had last written.

When Mr. Wharton had repeated to his wife the story of Miss Edwards, she
said immediately:

"Why, is she not just the person for a governess for our younger
children? No doubt, too, she might aid Emily in her studies, for the
child is too delicate to send away from home."

"Well thought of, my dear wife," said Mr. Wharton; "and if we could
persuade Harriet to let poor little Agnes join us, what a nice little
school we might have. It is strange the idea has not occurred to me
before, for I have thought, a great many times, what a pity it was that
such a woman as Miss Edwards should spend her life in spinning wool."

"When do you expect her again?" asked Mrs. Wharton.

"She will probably be here this afternoon."

"Let us save her the long walk, by driving over to see her this morning:
perhaps she can return with us." And in less than an hour, Mr. and Mrs.
Wharton were seated in the widow Crane's neat little parlor, in earnest
conversation with Miss Edwards.

I need not say that the offer made by Mr. and Mrs. Wharton was
unhesitatingly and gratefully accepted by Miss Edwards. Those only who
have felt as utterly forlorn and desolate as she had done for the last
few weeks, can understand with what joy she hailed the prospect of a
home among such kind and sympathizing hearts.

And a _home_ indeed she found. From the time she entered Mr. Wharton's
hospitable door, she was treated as companion, friend, and sister. No
more sad, lonely hours for her, so long as she remained under that roof.
There were plenty of happy, bright little faces around her; there were
kind words always sounding in her ear; there were opportunities enough
to be useful; there were rare and valuable books for her leisure hours.
With all these sources of enjoyment, could she fail to be happy?

And if Miss Edwards esteemed herself most fortunate in having found so
delightful a home, Mrs. Wharton was no less so in having secured her