ings and skirts swinging at my knees at about the same time I became really interested in girls. As I said, I was about 14, but the desire brought shame to my mind, I felt unmanly, and resisted the impulse with all my might. I wanted a sea-going career, and just could not give in to my feminine feelings. This inner conflict of mine lasted about a year.

The summer that I was 15, I spent two weeks with some young friends of the family, a married couple with one small daughter. One day, they were forced to drive to the near-by city on business and for some reason did- n't want me along. They said they were sorry to be call- ed upon to leave me alone for the day, but I reassured them that I did not mind. After they had driven away it didn't take me long to feel bored, and I prowled the house from room to room, arriving eventually at their bedroom. What happened then is impressed forever on

my memory.

The young matron had left some of her clothing scattered on the bed, and as I stood there looking at those things and breathing the lingering scent of per- fume, the impulse to dress as a girl swelled up in me so strong that I was unable to defeat it. I picked up a pair of pink or peach colored bloomers which I remem- ber had some kind of flowers appliqued on each leg. Off went my male clothing and on for the first time went a pair of bloomers. I felt ecstatic, light-headed and just plain thrilled. Next I tried a corset, but it didn't fit, so I turned to the dresser, rummaged through it until I found a bra. It also was large, but I kept it I followed this with a pair of dark silk stockings (no nylon in 1930!) which I rolled down to my knees in the fashion which was far more prevalent then than it is now. A slip, a dress and high heels (which were the only things too tight for me) completed my first dress- up. I stayed in those clothes for several hours and re- grettably removed and replaced them when I felt that I could no longer strut through the rooms and avoid dis- covery.

on.

When I was home again, the wonderful memory of soft and scented clothes would come to me and I seldom fought against the dream. At last I took some money which I had earned from my paper route and went to a

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