DEAR ABBY: The letter from "Former Mistress in Mourning," whose married lover dumped her after his wife died, reminded me how creative women in adulterous relationships can be. To say she and her lover were "discreet and respectful" with his wife while they were cheating on her is truly amazing. It is a poor attempt at justifying bad behavior.
Your reply about her ex-lover was right on. If he IS suffering guilt, it probably means he has a conscience. Our society would do well to remember that good mental health results from treating others as we would like to be treated. That would include a hands-off approach to married members of the opposite sex. Too bad more men and women aren't taught this anymore. -- OLD-FASHIONED IN MICHIGAN
DEAR OLD-FASHIONED: They're taught it -- they just ignore it once the hormones take over. Or they're sold a bill of goods by the straying spouse.