more or less friction and irritation, it is better for the crisis to
come and a final separation take place. For peace is better than disunited
love.

[Illustration: CUPID'S REBELLION]

3. HATE-SPATS.--Hate-spats, though experienced by most lovers, yet, few
realize how fatal they are to subsequent affections. Love-spats develop
into hate-spats, and their effects upon the affections are blighting and
should not under any circumstances be tolerated. Either agree, or agree to
disagree. If there cannot be harmony before the ties of marriage are
assumed, then there cannot be harmony {156} after. Married life will be
continually marred by a series of "hate-spats" that sooner or later will
destroy all happiness, unless the couple are reasonably well mated.

4. MORE FATAL THE OFTENER THEY OCCUR.--As O. S. Fowler says: "'The poison
of asps is under their lips.' The first spat is like a deep gash cut into a
beautiful face, rendering it ghastly, and leaving a fearful scar, which
neither time nor cosmetics can ever efface; including that pain so fatal to
love, and blotting that sacred love-page with memory's most hideous and
imperishable visages. Cannot many now unhappy remember them as the
beginning of that alienation which embittered your subsequent affectional
cup, and spoiled your lives? With what inherent repulsion do you look back
upon them? Their memory is horrid, and effect on love most destructive."

5. FATAL CONDITIONS.--What are all lovers' "spats" but disappointment in
its very worst form? They necessarily and always produce all its terrible
consequences. The finer feelings and sensibilities will soon become
destroyed and nothing but hatred will remain.

6. EXTREME SORROW.--After a serious "spat" there generally follows a period
of tender sorrow, and a feeling of humiliation and submission. Mutual
promises are consequently made that such a condition of things shall never
happen again, etc. But be sure and remember, that every subsequent
difficulty will require stronger efforts to repair the breach. Let it be
understood that these compromises are dangerous, and every new difficulty
increases their fatality. Even the strongest will endure but few, nor
survive many.

7. DISTRUST AND WANT OF CONFIDENCE.--Most difficulties arise from distrust
or lack of confidence or common-sense. When two lovers eye each other like
two curs, each watching, lest the other should gain some new advantage,
then this shows a lack of common-