invaluable services.

"How have I ever lived so long without Rhoda!" she often exclaimed; for
the new governess, by her own earnest request, soon lost the formal
title of Miss Edwards in the family, and was simply "Rhoda" with Mr. and
Mrs. Wharton, and "Miss Rhoda" with the children.

"I think there is nothing that she cannot do, and do well," she added.
"She is a most charming companion in the parlor, with a never-failing
fund of good humor and cheerfulness; a kind and patient, and in all
respects most admirable teacher, for the children; an unwearied nurse in
sickness; a complete cook, if for any reason her services are required
in the kitchen; and perfectly ready to turn her hand to anything that is
to be done."

"And now you have not mentioned the crowning excellence of her
character, my dear," said Mr. Wharton; "she is, I believe, a sincere and
earnest Christian; and, as you say, I think we are most fortunate in
having secured her as an inmate in our family, and a teacher for our
children."

Mr. Wharton, who had unbounded influence with Mrs. Elwyn, had no great
difficulty in persuading her to allow Agnes to become a member of his
family, that she might with his children enjoy the benefit of Miss
Edwards' instructions. Indeed, so long as Mrs. Elwyn had her darling
Lewie with her, it seemed almost a matter of indifference to her what
became of Agnes; and thus the neglect and unkindness of her mother were
overruled for good, and Agnes was placed in the hands of those who would
sow good seed in her young heart, while improving and cultivating her
mind. Happy would it have been for poor little Lewie, could he have been
taken from the indulgent arms of his weak and doating mother, and
placed under like healthy training, where his really fine qualities of
heart and mind might have been cultured, and he might early have been
taught to curb that hot and hasty temper, and to restrain those habits
of self-indulgence, which finally proved his ruin.

Miss Edwards remained six years in her happy home at Mr. Wharton's, and
had become as they all thought essential to their comfort and happiness,
when she one day received a letter, which agitated her exceedingly. She
was sitting at the dinner table, when the letters were brought from the
village. One was handed to her; she looked at the superscription, at the
post-mark, which was that of a town far to the south-west; her cheek
flushed, and with trembling fingers she broke the