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298

He was in Thompsons Studio when he recieved the news of Gertrude's death and he remembered me with much sympathy and pity. Here have I come at last to the last page in my diary of this past four years. I take leave of this volume with regret for between its covers are recorded the saddest and most solemn events that life can offer to me and I begin a new one for the record of that uncertain future which awaits me, better prepared, I think to meet any trial which it may have in store for me.
 
Thursday Dec. 5" 1878. The mountains white with snow and the wind cold and fresh from the North. I began my little picture and did all I could to it by noon when I brought Jamies wagon up to my room and varnished it. This afternoon I wrote to Eastman Johnson and to Mrs. Frank Weeks. All afternoon have thought so sadly of Gertrude. This evening I took some of her embroidery down stairs to show Miss Wilkins, the Fleurs-de-lis and the seat for a painting stool. They were all put away nicely and marked so that she would know just where to find them. All was order and neatness about her. This evening I wrote to Downing, to Mrs. Bachelder, to Booth and a note to Miss Dunfee asking about my picture and why my money does not come. Little Sedgwick sang the bugle calls which he has caught by hearing them sounded in the Army. We got out Gertrudes curtain material and her box of stuffs to see the effect of some of them on the curtains. All had been put away in the greatest neatness and order.
 
Friday 6. A keen fresh day but not really cold. The mountains looking wintry.  Painted all forenoon on the little picture I design for a Christmas present for John + Nannie. After dinner Mary and I took a walk out to the view and around back of O'Reillys home. We talked of Gertrude and could not keep back our tears. I do miss her so and grieve for her every moment when I think of her. How weary it seems when I look ahead which I try not to do. Had a short note from Booth. He did not see any