28 -THE FRILL OF IT ALL!

On my feet, I wore Margaret's three-inch heels that showed my pink enameled toenails peeking through their open toes. My dress was a "nice girl" dress; it's fitted long skirt ended conservatively at my ankles.

Margaret checked out my face and hair. My blushing cheeks glowed bashfully under the subtle cosmetics. My curled eyelashes fluttered and pink lipstick highlighted my outlined lips.

"Maybe you'll want to stay a girl after tonight," Margaret kidded. From the wispy bangs over my forehead to the slightly teased hair at the crown of my head, I looked like a debutante but felt like a lamb being lead to slaughter.

I wore a gold necklace with a little heart, screw-on heart earrings and Margaret's special gold, dinner watch.

"Oh Jackie! I'm so excited for you! I wish I could go and watch!" she exclaimed as she stroked my shoulder. "Walk around so I can check you out.'

I did a unhurried stroll across the room; aware of the way my hips felt as they moved.

When the doorbell rang. Margaret looked me over one last time and whispered, "You are so pretty! She ran out the door. I was to wait a befitting time before making my way out to meet my "date." Her voice drifted through the partly open door.

"Good evening. You must be Ted Rogers. I'm Margaret, Jackie's roommate. She's almost ready. She'll be out in a minute.'

وو

My heart started to pound. Mentally, I reviewed everything Ted had said about himself in his letters and my "responses". Some of the letter had been pretty solicitous. I put a dab of perfume behind each ear as Margaret had instructed before she walked out. With a significant amount of apprehension and a bit of trembling, I strolled out into the living room in my three inch heels.

I had to admit that Ted was really handsome. I knew that I'd be the envy of lots of girls that evening. I was awfully glad that I hadn't forced Margaret to go in my place. He would be tough competition for any guy. Then I quickly reminded myself that if I were

SANDY THOMAS ADVERTISING

going to pull this deception off I had better start thinking like a girl.

Ted was rising to his feet and took my beautifully manicured hand in his. "Well, hi, Jackie," he said. "You're even more gorgeous than I'd expected. Your pictures don't do you justice." I blushed furiously at his compliment and noted Margaret in the background smiling broadly. Then Ted said, "If you're ready, shall we go?"

Ready or not, we were off. Once my heart slowed to a gallop, it was kind of a pleasant evening. Ted was so attentive and entertaining that it was easy to force myself into a girlish demeanor. He was so masculine in his manner, I fell right into a passive bearing.

After the first few minutes when Ted accepted me completely for what I purported to be, I relaxed and decided to make the best of the few hours we would be together. We had an excellent candlelight dinner at a romantic, little Italian restaurant. Several times, Ted reached across to touch my hand but he was most courteous and solicitous----even holding my chair for me...helping me off with my coat. . .standing when I excused myself to powder my nose.

After dinner, I had half planned to get a "headache" and make him take me home but he suggested we go dancing, I thought about all those dance lessons going to waste and agreed. How strange it felt to be held in the arms of a good-looking young man as he behaved towards me as a female. It was completely different from my lessons where Margaret and Susan had taken the male lead.

Ted whispered in my ear, "Jackie, you dance like a feather. I can never get over how you gals can be so graceful on high heels."

"Well, it does take a little practice," I told him honestly.

And later, on the way home, as Margaret predicted, Ted offered me his class ring and asked me to go steady. I said that I would and he kissed me on the cheek. When he dropped me off at the door of our apartment, I knew the time had come. I felt myself moving closer to Ted, I felt my heartbeat pick up, my