Transvestia

as we approached the door and rang the bell of Tom and Harriet's apartment. A gypsy greeted us saying "Follow m please and do not talk. We want to keep our identities secret as long as possible."

We followed her into the bedroom and she took my coat and laid it on the bed and then she and Adele went in to join the party. In order to give them time to dis- associate themselves from me, I busied myself in front of the mirror and without thinking adjusted my dress so that it looked better and lifted the sheath to adjust my garter belt.

If I had expected the other guests to throng about me and seek to identify me, I was disappointed. Everywhere they were engaged in animated conversation in groups of two and three.

Tom came over finally and offered me a drink which I accepted since without pockets I did not know what to do with my hands. "You look familiar, but darn if I can place you", he exclaimed. I had no intention of being silent all night and quietly told him who I was and finally saw his disbelief give way to recognition.

"Why you old son of a gun, if you hadn't opened your mouth I would never have guessed who you were", he finally said. I could not understand why this statement should have pleased me.

The slow recognition of my friends added zest to the evening and soon we were reminiscing about old times. I did my share of the talking and forgot completely how I was dressed. Looking back, everything seemed normal and natural to me.

As we were leaving Adele remarked, "Marion, you made a tremendous gal and I was surprised that it took the others so long to recognize you but even more sur- prised that your every move and gesture was typically feminine. Are you sure you have not been hiding some- thing from me?"

I assured her that she had nothing to worry about and that I had no secrets but also told her how much I had enjoyed the evening.

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