The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-25
By Margaret Ef. sanmnter.

(copyright, 1908, by Joseph B Bowies)
 A secret is no longer secret if 1t has passed your lips. Two persons may perhaps safely share it, but If 1t be con : fided to the ear of third the probabii- ity is that 1t will before long be conn mon property By some strange fatal ity few people can be trusted with see crets, the desire to reveal them over coming their determination to be silenL.
 Of course there are innocent secrets and harmless mysteries that belong to the joyous and peaceful condtaous or life. such as the happy secrets that make our homes so delightful at hoii- day times, or the forecasts of coming events important in the annals of a family. These may be and commonly are preserved intact for time. or IT they are told The telling does no harm. But on occasion there are secrets af- fectinK the honor and well-befnE Of in- dividuals or a household, and these should not so much as be whispered in the privacy of a closet to ones most intimate friend, If there is the slight est danger to be incurred by spread ing them abroad.
 For example, q man in the prime of life suddenly shows symptoms of men tai breakdown. They are not so pro- nounced that his business associates or the neighbors perceive anything out Of the ordinary. although his wife and children are aware of a change and the family physician looks grave and sends the patient to a specialist The thing may or may not prove serious, Rest. medical treatment a journey, the drop ping of certain cares and burdens, may result favorably. It is to the last de- gree unfortunate If some member of the family in strict confidence tell an outsider about the solicitude felt, add ing the comment that there is a shadow over the house and everybody has the sensation of a sword suspended in the air by thread.
 The friend is deeply sympathetic and very much impressed. She watches the man thereafter with a new and pecu- liar vigilance. detects signs of oddity in his conduct that once never would have occurred to her, attaches a mean ing much too great to unimportant trffies and finally thinks 1t no harm to whisper the matter under the rose to her sister, her cousin. or some one else to whom the parties concerned are known, Sometimes this Is done fin yelled and vague manner with hints and inuendoes. and sometimes the story in. related under pledge of silence to thffd person who Is supposed not to be acquainted with the people mention ed, and who on that account, may be trusted. However, 1t is done, the se- ereL IS out. It ib dS IT tuhL WtAAGu Hd5 been told in the closet Is proclaimed from the bousetop. It may ruin the man in business or precipitate dis aster that might have been averted :. Secrets that have to do with peoples sanity even though they merely graze the edge of conjecture, are not per missibie nor should they be risked to the discretion of weak human nature.
 Physicians and lawyers are the cus- todians of many family secrets. and these are safe because the honor of both professions is pledged and guard cd by vows and traditions that keep secrets inviolate. Other good men and women supposed to be wise Tn counsel are approached by the worried and wearied among their friends. and are asked for advice and sympathy. often they give it, sometimes they find 1t difficult to restrain themselves from gratifying the curiosity of inquisitive folk who are sure they could speak if