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afterwards, was obliged to keep quiet in a darkened room to avoid one of my dreadful nervous headaches.
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would have told too heavily upon your already sorely tasked and greatly reduced strength. Yes, dear, while Our father wills it, we must all live; it is disloyal not to carry on life's duties. And in the certainty that it is only the ^[[dear]] living presence that is withdrawn — that all else is unchanged, your will by- and-by be cheerful as well as brave. Not that you will cease to have an unspeakable longing for it, but that this very longing will be a stimulus to the highest and best life. You will live so that all who knew you will understand and honor more fully the noble, gentle soul who gave you the deepest, tenderest friendship. Your first duty, darling, is to

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recover your strength — to guard your health with watchful care. You will find work worthy of you, I am sure. 

My thoughts have often been with you during your last days at Madison. I thank you for the postal written when you were on the eve of the last good-bye. Remembering our beautiful summer and the yet sweeter days of early autumn, I mourn over your vanished happiness as I could not but for our joyful months together. The happiness was so real - I am grateful to have shared it; the desolation is so hard to bear — I share that also.

I treasure in my heart the friendly words spoken to me in kindest tones by the voice I may have to wait [[strikethrough]] so [[/strikethrough]] long to hear again, I remember the

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Love to you all - Ida, Sara, Homer, as well as yourself. Dear friends, I send you all Christmas greetings and kindest wishes for the New Year. My sympathy as well.
Yours always,
Mary S.
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Transcription Notes:
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