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chest closely. The electrolysis was done on cross country trips by a hundred different operators in a hundred different cities. He told Martha he was having it done on doctor's orders because his tender facial skin was severely irritated by razors. He was never sure whether she believed him. When he began to shave the hair from his legs and arms and told her it was because he was allergic to his own hair Martha had not said a word. He hated himself for telling Martha these two cockeyed lies about shaving but some excuse had to be made he reasoned or she might suspect his real motive. Over the years Martha had never voiced an objection and apparently accepted his reasons without question.

Harry started the midnight tour at 11:30 p.m. That left him a full two and a half hours before the tour to dress Harriet, apply makeup, and put on whatever accessories were needed. He began gathering the items he wanted from the various departments. Tonight he had decided to dress Harriet in some of the best the store could offer. His last stop was the main dress department on five where he scrutinized the rack of new imported Italian knits more closely than before. Harriet usually took a size twelve and there were several nice numbers on the rack in that size. It was August and the fall styles and autumn colors were in vogue. After some indecision Harry finally selected one with a knife pleated skirt, the wide pleats starting from the waist. It was a light buff color and the hem was cut in a fashionable just-above-the-knee length. The sleeveless shell blouse in the same color featured a jewel neckline. The jacket was a smartly cut blazer affair with three-quarter length tapering sleeves. The jacket was done in a darker contrasting beige with a double row of large decorative buttons on the left in the lighter buff color. Satin fluting edged the low pockets on either side and ran around the hem of the jacket and up the lapels. Having selected a matching set of undergar- ments in a nude beige shade Harry had the basic ingredients of Harriet's costume. The principal accessories could be added later as he made his way through the store on the midnight tour. He took the items to the beauty salon on four and the transformation was ready to proceed.

At the rear of the beauty salon area was a dressing room and bathroom with a shower. It was an ideal headquarters for Harriet's escapades. Harry removed his blue nightwatchman's uniform and hung it neatly on a clothing rack. After a shower and an application of fragrant cologne the ritual of dressing began in earnest. He stood before a triple full length mirror in the dressing room in order to watch each step in the latest rebirth of his feminine ego. One by one the garments he had selected would be put on. Step by step the image of Harriet would appear.

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