Sylvia Meets Julian Eltinge

"Excuse me Miss", said a voice at my side and I looked up; it was our waiter. "I am sorry to intrude, but I have this for you", placing a tray at my elbow; on it I saw a card I glanced at the name on it. Turning to the waiter I asked who had given him the card and where was he sitting. Ans- wering me, he said the gentle- man was sitting at the right hand wall side, third table from the front, by the screen. Turning, I saw that this gent sat practically facing us at our table and I found myself look- ing into a pair of large soft eyes. I looked again at the card and read the few words on the bottom, below the printed name.

"I would like to chat with you" - Eltinge.

The card read "Dalton", but the scribbled name was something else again. I had certainly not expected such a situation as had presented it- self. Let me explain.

For years now, I had been what is known today as a cross dresser. Ever since the age of six or so I had been wearing real feminine apparel, petti- coats and dresses. I had made a few friends through playing in theatricals and writing to others who considered them- selves female "impersonators", one being Julian Eltinge. From this writing and exchange of photos I came to be quite friendly and always we agreed that one day we would meet.

By the time of this happen- ing I had become quite a young lady, appearing in theatrical work, even though only amateur and living the part whenever possible, with a fair figure, five feet eight, and weighing 145lbs.

But I digress; let me get on with my story. Eltinge did not know that I would be in New York then and I could never have been sure that he would be interested in me anyway. Actually it was only on a dare that I was in the city at that time, and pure chance that I was in that restaurant, The Virginian, I think it was. It was not my idea at all. My friend (an old one) who lived in New Jersey had asked me to stay with him while on my brief vacation. One afternoon he had suggested that we go into New York that night. I agreed and he then said that I should go dressed as his date for the evening. I was against it but he just kept right on in- sisting and I finally agreed. It cost him money, because we had to go out right away on a shopping spree, and he paid for everything, lingerie, hose, merrie widow, dress, hat, gloves and purse. The only thing I bought was a hairpiece, as it was something I had in- tended to get.

Once I got interested in the idea the more I liked it and the more I began to feel Sylvia taking over. I know that occa- sion will always remain in my memory.

That evening as I felt again, even as I do now, the thrill of corsetting, of hose slithering up my legs, the silken pants and camisole with petticoat

11

and dress and hat with purse.

My wig was just a brown one but nicely dressed and the hat just sat on top in a tilted sort of way. When I joined Bob he was quite surprised and elated; he'd only seen snapshots. Un- der his guidance we took the local train in and then took a cab to the restaurant, were shown a table.

and

Imagine my thoughts as I looked at the person at the table, knowing who it was and the surprise of it, I indeed felt very nervous and yet I knew I had to walk over to that table. I mumbled something to Bob about it being a friend who'd recognized me, who wanted to say hello.

Picking up my purse and gloves I slowly walked over to the table past other diners who I felt were all eyes. I knew for a certainty that El- tinge's eyes were on me and he hurriedly got up and pulled out a chair for me. I was on a cloud as he and I both resum- ed our seats and I tried to compose myself. There was no doubt in my mind at all as to who it was, when he addressed me as Sylvia. “I never expec- ted to meet you in this fashion in a place like this”, he said. Then, we talked, me forgetting about Bob. Among other things he said I was the only Canadian he knew which was one reason he remembered me and because of portraits I had sent him. He told me that he had watched our entrance and had been attracted by my manner and appearance. As we had settled down at the table he had noticed a trifling error on my part, which made him more obaservant and he