The daily Alaskan., 1918-03-30

nj one; sometimes husband and wife ] both are to blame. The innocent" one Is often unknOwingly, and perhaps even cecklessly, an accessory before the fact. ,, The way to prevent the ebb-tide of love is to determine at the very start of married life that there will be no ebb-tIde. Sometimes husband and wife, really loving each other as of old, wan. der blunderlngly apart through petti- | ness, pique, false pride or misunder- standing. Often with hands out stretched In the darkness, just hunger ing for each other, almost touching, when a motion, a smile, term of en' dearment, a love light In the eyes Ot either, would bring them conquered and submissive in each others arms, yet recklessly indiscreet word, a mean taunt, psychic moment of posi sibIity passed by unheeded, or si- lence that seems cruel, may drive them still further apart. The stream of fine sentiment and heart emotion should sweep them out of themselves; sometimes 1t backs water and engulfs them.
 It really seems that some people do not want happiness or they would not dodge 1t so successfully, and begrudge the trifes 1t takes to secure 1t. People who would be shocked at the bare thought of actually destroying two dollar bill often toss idly aside the happiness of two for the merest trifle. Life is too short and love too great to sacrifice one hour through pettiness. What matters 1t whose the fault or whose the forgiYenessf It Is very poor brand of personal dignity that dares to throw It's deseCrating shadow between them and the joy of recon ciliation and new bonds of love.
 When the realization of the waning of love comes, the two should seek to forget for a moment the differences, the saddening changes, the cemetery of dead memories and buried emotions, and try to get back somehow to some common ground of unity and under standing. They should seek to gather together the trifes of sacred things not yet lost. In the thought of these there may be a vItalizing flame of the old love flashing out from the dull gray of the ashes that will burn away
 the dross of discord and mlsunder- standing.
 Argument itself rarely counts; this Is but an intellectual appeal; what Is needed Is an emotional inspiration. We should recognize conditions fully for | our own guidance in action, but 1t is not wise to make evident our pain by pleas and protests. Cruel words meant to sting can be neutralized to 6 de- gree by showing no sign of being effect ed by them. There Is yellow streak of cruelty In love grown cold; 1t likes the cringing that shows It's power. Studied neglect and cool indifference are rarely continued If they are re- ceived with an innocent absorption or preoccupetion they cannot penetrate. There is really little fun shooting with these blank cartridges. An unexpect- ed kindness, a note of tenderness in speech or act, the regenerating inau- ence of the sweet sentiment, and grace full attention of the earlier days of loving, may melt mood of opposition that any argument would sOlidlfy as heat sets clay.
 Trying to get back to the fork of the road where parting came may H. lumInate life and show the insIdlous element that keeps apart two, who should love each other. In the care of a garden there Is a twofold duty the elimination of the weeds and the planting of the flowers. In the home 1 life the dual duty is specially vital; when discord reigns there should be at least the negative virtue of avoid ing subjects of inharmony, of cutting of those things that intensity differ ences, of stopping the fire of verbal grapeshot that stings like needles. IL Is time for antldotes, and If you can not possibly give an antidote. In mercy give a poul1ce-not a blister. It Is the hour when two people should work overtime making allowances for each other, and pack their sense of wound ed personal dignity away for the sea son In tar paper, for 1t is in the way during such crisis.
 In a storm at sea everything is sac riflced to save the ship; personal dis comfort, suffering, trial, hardshIp-all count for nothing if the vessel itself with Its people be kept ahOat. When the life happiness of two hangs in the balance. when love Is sinking in night of doubt, there should be a supreme effort to save the ship. Throw over pride, self-will, pique, dignity, fear, selhshness, all little pet vices if necessary, sacrifice every wrong and even minor rights-just to save the ship. Love is the most valuable cargo on the ship of life. It is the greatest thing in this world and the only thing that will make the next worth the liv- ing. The ebb-tide of love Is the sad,