Dear Annie: I am a 20-something female living in a tiny Midwestern town, working as a receptionist at a place that has a constant stream of people coming in.

I say "Hi, how are you?" to everyone and enjoy talking to the customers.

About a year ago, some nasty women started accusing me of sleeping with several married men in my town, because I was "seen talking" to them at my job.

I was horrified when I was confronted by one woman whose husband was supposedly sleeping with me.

My boyfriend is the only person I have ever been with, and it makes me so mad that people believe this garbage.

I go to work and come home. I never go out unless my boyfriend is with me.

Fortunately, he doesn't believe any of these rumours.

I am so upset by the whole thing that it sometimes consumes my every thought. I've tried talking to the lady who confronted me, but she won't speak to me.

I want her to know this is an absolute lie, but how can I get that across when other people believe the spiteful women who started these rumours? How do I get people to stop talking about me? — Horrified in the Midwest

Dear Horrified: You need to hold your head up and behave in a friendly but professional manner with everyone at work.

Then let your friends and family know these vicious lies are undoubtedly being spread by women who are jealous or worried about their own marriages, and ask them to get the word out.

Other than that, ignore what others may think and concentrate on your own relationships.

Dear Annie: My husband, who is almost 60, has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.

He says it's all poppycock. He doesn't believe in psychologists or psychiatrists.

The psychologist who made the diagnosis said it could be treated with behavioural changes. My husband refuses to "change".

He says he's fine the way he is and if others don't like it, it's their problem.

Annie, it's been my problem for 37 years. I just didn't have a name for it.

My husband won't go to a therapist, and I'm already seeing one.

Is there an Asperger's support organisation? It's usually diagnosed in childhood, but there have to be adults out there who are coping with it.

I need help. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and simple daily activities are difficult for me.

Dealing with someone who won't do anything about an illness takes what little energy I have. If there are any organisations that could offer some support, I'd appreciate knowing how to contact them. — Running on Empty in Vermont

Dear Vermont: Asperger's is one of the pervasive developmental disorders and generally manifests itself through impaired communication and social skills.

There are organisations that can help you, even if your husband refuses to modify his behaviour.

Try Families of Adults Affected by Asperger's syndrome (www.faaas.org), P.O. Box 514, Centerville, Massachusetts 02632 and the Autism Society of America (www.autism-society.org) at 1-800-3-AUTISM (1-800-328-8476).

Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, PO Box 118190, Chicago, Illinois 60611.