and in department stores in the County Seat and the Capitol City where there were feminine garments on display. I had keen anticipation when I thought of being present in these places AS A GIRL, I wonder- ed, however, how on earth I could be fitted in shops, how I could be corsetted or how a dressmaker could "work on me" without knowing I wąs a male. So here were more mixed feelings and worries. Miss Cora knew that I had in the past been rude and at times a bit rough with women and girls and that I tended to try to be like what they called a "bully-boy". Miss Cora and my fiancee had punishment in their minds as my just due. Miss cora also felt that to feminize me properly, what she called "beneficial humiliation" and corporal punishment were needed.

Looking back now I know she was right. That is, she was correct in my case. Let me state one thing at this point: If I had a choice to make, was free to choose to go through it allagain or to go my merry was as I was going when Miss Cora adopted me, I WOULD CHOOSE MY LIFE AS "ELSIE"! But of course, at the time I would not have as I was a "secret dresser" and was happy to be alone with my frills and my catalogs. I had been happy alone, just "llsworth and Elsie" and now I would not be. I planned how I would escape Miss Cora and my feminine fate and go out into the world and make my way. I thought of the West and I planned, or started to plan for a getaway. Later on these plans were tried and I assure the reader that the escape matter was most amusing and tragic as well.

I went to sleep at last and I slept long and well. I was sleeping soundly when Miss Cora shook me. I opened my eyes and looked up at her. She told me to get up. I did, with a few blushes as I was in a most feminine nightgown. Miss Cora said,

"Now Elsie let us start out by making one thing quite clear. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You wanted to have a secret feminine life, you even stole to do this. You have tried to act the rude, roughneck and bully boy with girls and women and at the same time you mince, primp and simper in frills