Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-02-27

went nearer 10 them. a. ii still inclined
p interpose. One Of the party near
the forgotten table Of pleasure sourht
to penetrate the mystery of the situa-
ton.
why, Major Kilgore," he asked. de-
precatingly, what is the matter with
Count Meagher?"
= Is his name MeagherP" retorted the
Major, as coldly and raspingly as posi-
Die Il have given him no name, sir
Perhaps You are better
informed than am, sir.
But that, pointing again over the in
tervening heads directly Mt Count
Meagher's pale face and cleaning eyes,
that is the man | mean
you do2' returned Count Meagher.
"Ihen mean goa when say you are
miserable fool, and that YOU are
lmpertinent. and that if these gentle
men will give us the room we can deal
with each other"
He held his hat in his hand. As he
spoke he tossed il to one side across the
room and with a deft motion of his
hand was about to draw q revolver
from his hip pocket But those who
were antent upon ayerting the eatas-
trophe were as quick as he They
seized him and prevented him from
drawing the weapon, and others came
TO their assistance Count Meagher
seemedto fear hostility in this, and
struggled to free himseH bao he was
overcome and the weapon, taken from
his hand. In the mean time, Major
hilgore has not moved from his place,
nor had his face abatad a iot OF the
GOODNESS and contempt shat il express
ed. Two gentlemen had laid hands up
on him. also. lu abundant caution. TC
these he said
Gentlemen, [ am not armed"
Gentlemen, said the speaker, "will
some Of you kindly lock the doors?"
This was done. and then addressing
himself TO Major hilgore, he continued:
AS a member Of the Governing
Board of this club, feel that / have a
right to ask Major Bilgore the mean
ing of the serious words he has direct
ed at Count Meacher, also a member"
There was a silence TO hear the reply.
u have directed no words at Count
said the Major, laying en-
phasis on the name. 81 spoke of that
mani" And again he pointed with a
glance Of contempt at the Count, whose
face, now pale and set, was a mask Of
defiant hatred. Il do not know his
name. 1t may be Count Mea-
CHER here, as it was Jack
Quinn at San Francisco or
may have been other aliases
as professional gambler and sharper
needed the protection of dis
guisem
ut is liel' cried Count Meagher,
leaping from the hands that held him
and starting toward Major Kilgore,
who instantly advanced to meet him.
Both men were held back by those who
had thrown themselves between the
Major Kilgore's accusation had fallen
like a bomb-shell, and every eve. that
had turned on Count Meagher as the
charge was launched, was now turned
back again upon Major Kilgore.
81 have proof of the truth
of my statements in my friend
Colonel Buckley Hamilton, of
San Francisco whom all Of
you must know by reputation
as a gentleman. For him l
am responsible to the club
and to the members of the club. Col.
recognized that
man this morning distinctly"
As he spoke Colonel Hamiiton's name
that gentleman came out from the
group and stood beside Major Kilgore,
Count Meagher gave him one look OF
hatred, and then fastened
his eyes upon the Major, who, waving
his hand towards Colonel Hamilton,
stepped aside.
ave all know Colonel Hamilton,
said the Governor, "well eaoagh by
and in person to accept him
gentlemen as worthy of fullest
credence This is all true, Colone,
he concluded interrogatiye-
ly a significant way Of putting the
question.
"And more" answered Colonel Ham
ilton, promptly. He was Jack Quinn
in Frisco, and Jack Quinn in the army
who was a rundown from a good old
New Orleans family, but did not know
him then. But this Jack Quinn here /
did know in Frisco, and he was a skin
gambler told Major Kilgore of it,
and | say again that it's Jack Quinn
and you know you are, Jack"
The Colonel appealed innocently
enough to Meagher who stood with
out tremor on his face, erect as a
soldier, and coolly waiting for the
story 20 end.
Meagher," said the Governor
turning to him, you are a member Of
the Jefferson Club, and YOU have a
right to be heard Do you care 10 say
anything now, or would you prefer to
wait until the matter is heard by the
board? For, take Is, it must be heard,
and. as a member Of the board, shall
report it for inyestigat on. But in the
mean time, as a member, YOU have a
right to be heard by all these gentle
men who have listened to the other
side"
lie WIS pale and deliberate under
The scrutiny Of those two dozen eyes,
bat he was prompt 70 answer. Bowing
TO the Governor, he said:
y am . stranger in this town. al
though ! have many acquaintance !
have been here a year, and ] have
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