Asterisks enclosing text disappear when cursor leaves the line

I have been using pairs of asterisks enclosing text to indicate emphasis. I just noticed that when I move the cursor from the line in which asterisks are used in this way they disappear.

Not a serious problem, but I don't recall this happening before---I may just not have noticed---and I would prefer that the asterisks display. 

Why does it happen? Can i prevent it.

Thanks,

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Eric Weir

Decatur, GA

eeweir@bellsouth.net

"A man should be in the world as though he were not in it 

so that it will be no worse because of his life." 

- Wendell Berry