Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-07-03
The Black Urge
By Vara Macbeth Jones

Erin Go Bragh'?" he would reouest
gently. And when Michael Hurley was
moved to fiery retort or scathing COM
ment, he found it vas of no avail.
Whats TO hinder you from work
ing your way over and back again.
he once demanded. Sure. and maybe
a little visit there might make Won
change your tunei'
Willy John shook a patient head
You mean well, Cousin Michael, and
gladly would 1 work my fingers to the
bone to get back. But wouldn't dare
trust myself lest l couldn't tear myselt
away again"
So that soon Michael decided it was
best to hold his tongue, since in the
long run he only succeeded in wound
ing Finola and her girls. But through
many a change Of mind he went. And
most OF the time it must be admitted.
1t was with fiery spleen he watched
them, wondering how women could be
so foolish and SO blind. Again. his
impatience would melt under a pitying
tolerance. Was it their fault. after
all, if their faith was so strong. their
love SO deep it left scant room in
their hearts for doubt?
Yet to one thing he could not brinr
reconciliation, and that was the sacri-
flee OF Finola's granddaughter. Bad
enough it vas to have Kate and Agnes
Mary go their drab, thwarted way.
without flaming haired young MORA
following in their footsteps. And she
was still mistaken in her determine
ton to give up her schooling and 90
into the factory when an opening Of
fered, and nc urging on Michael's part
could swerve her. And in his heart
he bitterly deplored his stinted lot that
so tied his hands where the child was
concerned.
And so things were when the last
night of Michael Hurley'S visit came.
And much as we're the spirits of the
w~omen-folk Saddened at the thought OF
his going, they tried not to let their
regret mar his last hours. But not SO
with Willy John. He wore an air OF
sadness that set him apart. And when
he spoke, it was brokenly.
And SO, at daybreak, Cousin Michael
you are leaving us to sail home to
Erin. And was it not that my duty
lies here, how gladly would l change
places with you. But as it is, when
your ship plows the main homeward,
remember my poor heart goes with
you :"
And just then, as though the Fates
timed it, there came a knock at the
door and a boy stood there with a note
for Michael Hurley. And when he read
the few scrawled lines he shook a
surprised head.
Och! And that jamie Regain was
always as changeable as the compass
on his old tub! The word is now that
we're not off for home as soon as he
thought since he believes he sees a
chance to make a profitable run down
the coast and back again with a dele
cation Of fruit packers and their car
go. And the thing he asks is, do l
want to be taking in the extra trip?
Which means, whether l do or whether
l don't, it's the extra glimpse I'll be
having of you all before we're off for
good"
At which there was great rejoicing,
the elder women giving vent to their
delighted 4ah's" and "oh's" and young
MORA pushing back her chair to come
to his side and put loving young arms
about his neck, and to lay her soft
young cheek against his weather beat
en- n And Willy John re-
ioiced, too; but his rejoicing wa tinged
with pensiveness.
"Ah, Cousin Michael, what a lucky
man you are" he sighed, ito be able
to put lightly aside the trip that would
mean SO much-to others. What
wouldn't I give to feel the boards
heaving under my own feet once again
and the sight of the world drifting
BY"
Then Finola O'Reilly looked mpas
Sionately at Kate, and Kate looked at
Agnes Mary, then their gaze went back
to Willy Johns curly bowed head. Then
Kate asked hesitatingly, Would the
passage be costing much, do you think,
denly recalled young Moira's words
that first night when she said. But
he will get his way, yet, Cousin Mich
ael, mark my Wordsl" And now he
realized the handwriting on the wall!
Willy John had conquered
eye, no, my hearty, and I see you're
up at last!" Michael Hurley called
out as he came into the little cabin he
shared in the hold of Jamie Regan'S
OUdU WILL WHY JOlul lttllly. III WAS
twenty-four hours after the Molly o"
had left port and the cruise was well
under way.
Willy John, standing before a little
mirror brushing his hair into a debon-
aire pompadOur, laid down his comb
and yawned luxuriously.
Il feel like a new man already,
Cousin Michael" he said genially.
Michael took a seat on a bench and
nodded. That's the way to talk. Willy
john" he encouraged. Then his face
heightened. IF only it was lasting
Come now, let's talk this over,
man to man. This homesick urge of
yours, couldn't you be shaking it off
for good if only for the sake of the
others? Remember, man, your unhap-
piness is their unhappiness; your dis
content their discomfort! Then. too,
it makes hard shedding for them to
have to shoulder the living when YOU
won't settle down and do your shared
Willy Johns face flushed at the blunt
words. Cousin Michael" he exclaimed
solemnly, II would gladly lay down my
life for my mother and the girls. But
when it comes to killing the urge that
burns lin my heart-sure, that Is
stronger than I ami"
Michael pursed his lips. Then the
only real cure for the inconsistencies
- $50