RANSVESTIA

ered his jacket and it really looked in the mirror as if this was a lady getting her hair set. He was startled and thrilled to notice this and didn't overlook the girl, who appraised him with a silent, but admiring look. With interest in her voice she asked if he had ever changed into a girl before. After his negative reply she observed that he certainly was going to look very feminine when make-up and a dress were added.

"In fact I think you will be better looking than most of our ladies here," the girl said.

Then she made a rather unexpected offer to help him out with a few beauty tips if he would like, perhaps the next time, when he came to pick up the finished wig. That was an offer he readily accepted. After settling on color and hair style for the wig, he departed with the knowl- edge that the wig would be ready in three days and he could come for it then.

Those three days were days of mixed joy and despair. He was thrilled by the prospect of getting a wig of his own and knowing someone was interested enough to help him. On the other hand he felt very unhappy about getting his feminine desires partly fulfilled, without seeing how he would look with a complete change. The third day came. He went to the beauty parlor again. Now it was for him the most fascinating place in town. This time it was much easier to cross the threshold and ask for the salesgirl. His wig was ready and he willingly paid for it, but then she suggested something startling. By this time he had already decided that she must be the daughter of the shop's owner, and this gave her suggestion some justification.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have much time right now. But why don't you come back at 7 o'clock tonight? We close the shop then, my parents go home and they always leave me to clean up things for the next day. Who knows, at that time we could make a real lady of you."

This last sentence seemed a really promising one. Without hesitation he accepted, promising to be there at the suggested time, right on the minute.

"Wait a minute," she said. "I just want to look you over and see what size of clothing you probably wear."

Night came. Richard arrived on time. Hurriedly the girl let him in and at once drew the shades. “Now we have all the time we need, and

80