Ralph Wilton's weird

CHAPTER I.. The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair nearly fourteen years ago.Bookcases and escritoires writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient easy-chairs print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios pictures bronzes all the signs and tokens of wealth were there but nothing new. An impress of extinct vitality was stamped upon the chamber and all it contained. The very fire burned with a dull continuous glow neither flaming nor crackling.On one side of this fire his back to the light in a high leathern chair sat an old man. Originally slight in frame he now looked attenuated. His blue brass-buttoned coat though evidently from the hands of an artist hung loosely upon him. His thin gray hair was carelessly brushed back from a brow not high but peculiarly wide a straight refined nose a square-cut chin a thin-lipped slightly cruel mouth a tint of the deadliest pallor—all these combined to make his countenance at once attractive and repellent. There was a certain dignity in his attitude as he leaned against the side of the large chair in which he was almost lost one thin small white hand resting on the arm of his seat the other playing in a manner evidently habitual with a couple of seals hanging in by-gone fashion from a black ribbon.He was gazing at the fire and listening to a meek looking semi-genteel young man who seated at a table with a neatly folded packet of papers before him was reading aloud from a letter. But the lecture was interrupted.The door was thrown open by an archdeaconal butler who announced in a suppressed voice and impressive manner Colonel Wilton my lord.Whereupon entered a soldierly looking man above middle height his broad shoulders and compact waist duly displayed by an incomparably fitting frock-coat closely buttoned and worn with the indescribable carriage that life-long assured position and habitual command only can bestow. A bold sunburnt and somewhat aquiline face a pair of eagle-like brown eyes and plenty of red-brown wavy hair whisker and moustache entitled the possessor to be termed by partial comrades a good-looking fellow.The old nobleman stood up and raising his cold steely keen blue eyes with an extension of his thin lips intended for a smile held out his slight fine hand.I am glad to see Colonel Wilton he said in a low sweet voice which must have been peculiarly charming before age had thinned its tones.—You may leave us Mr. Robbins he added; whereupon the young man at the writing-table took up his papers and departed.—I am obliged to you continued Lord St. George for obeying my summons so promptly; it was more than I expected considering how often you must have been in town without calling upon your recluse kinsman.My dear lord said Colonel Wilton with a frank smile taking the chair placed for him I never thought a visit from me would be acceptable. I supposed that I must excite the natural aversion which is generally felt for junior and unendowed relatives so I kept out of the way. Colonel Wilton's voice was not unlike his host's though deeper and richer.Unendowed or not you are almost the only relative who has never asked me a favor returned the old man.Had I wanted anything I suppose I should have asked for it said Colonel Wilton good-humoredly; but my ambition is professional and fortune has favored me beyond my deserts.You are a young colonel.Only brevet.Ay I remember; you got your first step after that affair of the rifle-pits.Exactly; then I volunteered for our second battalion when the mutiny broke out saw a good deal of very unpleasant service was slightly hit got fever more from fatigue than wounds was ordered home on sick leave and found my breve