Selby, who was stationed there for a time, in command of that district.

He was a handsome, soldierly man of thirty years, a graduate of the University of Virginia, and of distinguished family, if his story might be believed, and, it was evident, a man of the world and of extensive travel and adventure.
To find in such an out of the way country place a woman like Laura was a piece of good luck upon which Col.

Selby congratulated himself.

He was studiously polite to her and treated her with a consideration to which she was unaccustomed.

She had read of such men, but she had never seen one before, one so high-bred, so noble in sentiment, so entertaining in conversation, so engaging in manner.
It is a long story; unfortunately it is an old story, and it need not be dwelt on.