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and that our friendship would now be broken up. I know you have payed me the greatest honor it is in the power of a man to pay ^[[a woman]] and when I think how unworthy of it I am it makes me hate myself. [[strikethrough]]If I thought this was going to break up all our intercourse[[/strikethrough]]. Mo, I want you for a friend - but it can never be anything more. Forgive me if I have ever made you think more than this. Of course what you have said to me is sacred, no one shall ever know of it, and I hope and pray that you will still be to me the friend whom I trust and want and need to see.

[[strikethrough]]very sincerely, 
Gertrude V.[[/strikethrough]]

It seemed so natural our liking each other. Were you not Willie best friend and I so often think of all the

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nice things he used to say about you. It seems as if you must love him [[strikethrough]]just as[[/strikethrough]] almost as much as I do, let this thought keep us together [[strikethrough]]even[[/strikethrough]] if nothing else will. 
Ever sincerely yours
I think it is better to be absolutely frank even though it may seem cruel at the time than to raise hopes that cannot be realized.

[[underlined]]October 31st.[[/underlined]]
That tells its story & a sad story it is. Ever since I got the letter that the above is an answer to I have had a heavy weight at my heart.