[Ozark Tom]

Allowing that the stopping point is Ray, the two lines add up to poetry, as one comment pointed out.

Martin Adamson • 6 hours ago

“Not only is the additional text a forgery, but the main text only makes sense if was signed by somebody called RAY. It’s a poem, hence the convoluted word order.”

To a sweeter, more beautiful girl I could not say,
‘Merry Christmas.’ Love, Ray

[Sacajaweau]

I do think that is a possibility. And I know, ABSOLUTELY, that when Allred was reading the text out of the book, she said RAY first and then corrected herself.

That would also account for writing Merry Christmas twice.

To a sweeter, more beautiful girl I could not say

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Love Ray.

[Architect of Avalon]

That is an observation worthy of Sherlock Holmes.

[savedbygrace]

Excellent analysis.

[TigerClaws]

That’s a great point.

I’ll repeat it to those who responded to this thread:

Allowing that the stopping point is Ray, the two lines add up to poetry, as one comment pointed out.

Martin Adamson • 6 hours ago

“Not only is the additional text a forgery, but the main text only makes sense if was signed by somebody called RAY. It’s a poem, hence the convoluted word order.”

To a sweeter, more beautiful girl I could not say,
‘Merry Christmas.’ Love, Ray