Young Irony

           ForyearsafterwardwhenAmorythoughtofEleanorheseemedstilltohearthewindsobbingaroundhimandsendinglittlechillsintotheplacesbesidehisheart.Thenightwhentheyrodeuptheslopeandwatchedthecoldmoonfloatthroughtheclouds,helostafurtherpartofhimthatnothingcouldrestore;andwhenhelostithelostalsothepowerofregrettingit.Eleanorwas,say,thelasttimethatevilcreptclosetoAmoryunderthemaskofbeauty,thelastweirdmysterythatheldhimwithwildfascinationandpoundedhissoultoflakes.

           Withherhisimaginationranriotandthatiswhytheyrodetothehighesthillandwatchedanevilmoonridehigh,fortheyknewthenthattheycouldseethedevilineachother.ButEleanor—didAmorydreamher?Afterwardtheirghostsplayed,yetbothofthemhopedfromtheirsoulsnevertomeet.Wasittheinfinitesadnessofhereyesthatdrewhimorthemirrorofhimselfthathefoundinthegorgeousclarityofhermind?ShewillhavenootheradventurelikeAmory,andifshereadsthisshewillsay:

           "AndAmorywillhavenootheradventurelikeme."

           Norwillshesigh,anymorethanhewouldsigh.

           Eleanortriedtoputitonpaperonce:

           "Thefadingthingsweonlyknow

           We’llhaveforgotten...

           Putaway...

           Desiresthatmeltedwiththesnow,

           Anddreamsbegotten

           Thisto-day:

           Thesuddendawnswelaughedtogreet,

           Thatallcouldsee,thatnonecouldshare,

           Willbebutdawns...andifwemeet

           Weshallnotcare.

           Dear...notonetearwillriseforthis...