anged my hair lower on my neck than usual. I made an attractive picture for both Mother and Aunt gasped when they first saw me, and at the theatre I received so many favorable glances that I thrilled with pride.

Thus the winter fairly flew by, and before I knew it I was en- grossed with purchases for my summer wardrobe. Any remnants of de- sire to return to a masculine life disappeared at Christmas's when I was fairly showered with clothes and dainty underthings. I be- came very clothes conscious, and principally with Aunt's help I developed very good taste, so with all the gifts and my own in- creasingly numerous purchases I became a very chic young woman. By spring my hair was so long that I could do with only one switch, and before a year had passed I dispensed with them entirely.

During the summer, we took a trip, and were so favorably im- pressed with what was destined to become one of California's most fashionable towns that we decided to move there. This decision made, we returned home, settled our affairs, and packing all of our belongings shipped them to California. While we were packing, I cut all ties with the past by giving away all of the masculine att- ire I had left. When we arrived at our new home we purchased a house large enough for the three of us and settled down to take our part in the life of the town. It was a happy life indeed and soon we were enmeshed in its social whirl. At first I had diff- iculty meeting men from the feminine point of view, but by thought and coaching I soon felt at ease in any circumstances. In fact I became quite a belle and was given a rush by several young men. This was a lot of fun and I loved the pleasant life; but I had to be constantly on the alert to repel any amorous advances. This attitude at first seemed to make the men more eager than ever, but when they learned that it was no mere pose they settled down to treating me as a good friend which was a most satisfactory basis. I also made many feminine friends and soon got so that I could hold my own with the best of them about the most intimate feminine mat- ters.

One day about a year after our arrival Frances came in in a most exasperated mood because she had been unable to find any nice underthings in the shops, and she remarked during the tirade that she had a mind to start a decent shop herself. At the time this remark didn't make any particular impression on me, but in time the idea became intriguing to both of us.

63.