until, THROUGH SOME CHANGE OR LACK OF CHANGE IN OURSELVES, it has

ceased to be our own.

 

A man's "mental attitude" toward the other man in such cases as A.J.'s

should be the same as toward other men - the attitude of real kindness

toward an Individual who, like the rest of us, is being "as good as he

knows how to be and as bad as he dare be."

 

This does not mean that the husband shall allow himself to be used for a

door mat, nor held up for the ridicule of the neighbors. A sensible

father expects his daughter to observe the proprieties. The daughter of

a sensible father is more than willing to meet these expectations. In

the same way a sensible husband will expect his wife to see no more of

the lover than "society" permits her to see of any man not related to

her. No sensible American woman will jeopardize her good name under such

circumstances. She will control her feelings until she has proved her

new attraction and been duly released from the old. If a woman will not

conduct herself in a self-respecting manner the sooner she leaves the

better for the husband. As for herself, she will learn by experience - as

Princess Louise did.

 

Love is the mightiest force in creation. It will not be gainsaid. But it

can be controlled. To pen it up too completely brings explosion,

devastation. To give it too free rein means madness with no less

devastation. To direct it within reasonable limits is the only

safe way.

 

It takes a cool head and steadfast heart to meet such emergencies as

A.J.'s. And eye hath not seen nor ear heard the "Well done" and its

attendant glory, which enters into the heart and character of the man

who meets such condition and conquers - himself. Not once in a thousand

lives has a man such opportunity to prove his godship and bless himself

and the world.