Rising early the next morning I decided to wear my new things despite any remark Mother might make about my doing so voluntarily. New lingerie was followed by new corset, hose, and petticoat, a blue cotton house frock, and the new black shoes. Just as I finished putting the final pin in my hair, Mother came in to waken me.

Finding me up and dressed as I was, she was delighted. After chatting with her for a few moments about my new clothes, she returned to her room to dress while I went downstairs. Seeing me, Sue was astonished and wished to know where I had gotten the new dress. I told her about the gifts I had received and in answer to her questions, started describing the new dresses.

After a while Mother came down and with a start I realized that I had been gossiping with Sue like any woman. Despite the anomaly of my position, I had been discussing corsets, lingerie, and all sorts of feminine things without any sense of embarrassment or strangeness. Even more surprisingly, neither Mother or Sue seemed to find anything queer about the situation.

About ten Mother suggested that we go to church. Agreeing I asked her what I should wear. She thought for a moment and then said, "Why I think your new black silk suit would be most appropriate."

Surprised, I questioned, "You think I should wear a dress Mother? Someone might recognize me."

At that she exclaimed, "Why I'd completely forgotten about you in men's clothing." She then put me on the spot once and for all by continuing, "I'm sure you wouldn't be recognized but you do as you like." I felt that there was a malicious gleam in her eye as she said it but her facial expression betrayed nothing.

There was nothing I could say to this so I wandered upstairs. Looking at myself in the mirror, I thought over my predicament. Finally I said to myself, "If you like to dress as a woman as much as you pretend and wish to continue it, you'd better do the whole job or quit entirely. Now which will it be?" As I finished saying that I raised my eyes to the mirror and for the first time really saw myself for what I appeared - a handsome, graceful, and vivacious young woman without taint of my old nondescript masculine self.

My decision was made that instant. Slipping out of my house frock I put on the silk suit, rearranged my hair, powdered my nose, and put on my jewelry. Going downstairs I put on my new black hat and arranged the veil once it was pinned in place. Putting on my gloves and taking my purse I went in to tell Mother it was time to go.

She gave me an approving glance as she rose but said nothing about my decision and soon we were on our way.

At church we met several of Mother's and my friends. Mother introduced me to them as her niece, Davy. This name was only used in private by my family and no one questioned me or thought it strange. After the service I found myself entering into the general conversation on the church steps. Several times I detected approving glances from some of the men present.

Arriving home we went into the living room where Mother threw her arms around me and burst into tears. I couldn't imagine what was the matter until she sobbed, Oh Davy you were absolutely wonderful! I'm so glad you decided as you did for it makes all the difference in the world in you."

Her quick intuition had sensed my decision and seen its outward effect on me. I no longer slinked and tried to hide. Now I walked like a queen, proud of my beauty, my lovely clothes, and my ability to wear them.

"But why cry Mother?"

"I can't help it.", she sobbed, "It's just that I'm so happy." Then as I tried to dry her eyes I astonished myself. I started to cry to, something I wouldn't have thought possible.

At last we were on a basis of understanding and spent most of the afternoon discussing my venture into feminine life. I frankly confessed the ever growing desire. At the same time I admitted the fear of ridicule that had plagued me ever since the day Aunt first got me into dresses. She explained how much she liked me in a feminine role and that I had her complete approval to wear dresses whenever I wished. It was agreed that I would do as I wished in the matter with never any ridicule or criticism. The next morning I put on my blue house frock and spent the time helping Mother about the house. At lunch she suggested a shopping expedition and I eagerly agreed. I wore my brown fur trimmed hat with a veil and under my coat the new embroidery trimmed beige gown.

Our first stop was, as Mother explained, to buy some things I needed. Our purchases consisted of several dainty silk and lace nightgowns, a blue velvet feather trimmed negligee, and some mules. Mother consulted me so much in purchasing them that they were really my selection. I was delighted at the prospect of wearing these new things. I was also pleased that Mother would trust my judgment so much in selecting feminine under things.

After that we did some incidental shopping and then, at Mothers suggestion, dropped into a doctor's office where I had my ears pierced. This was a surprisingly painless operation. To my utter gratification, not even the doctor noticed anything strange about me.

That evening after undressing I put on the prettiest of the new gowns. It was pale blue satin trimmed with hand run lace. I then slipped into the negligee, put on the mules, and replacing the wig took out the pins and combed the hair down about my shoulders. Then I went to let Mother see me.

She was delighted and after kissing me said, "Davy you look sweet as can be. Any man would instantly fall in love with you if he could see you this way." Even this remark didn't embarrass me as it would have a few days before. I was acquiring a feminine outlook and attitude toward life. She and I gossiped while she combed out her hair and then I went to bed to sleep wonderfully in my dainty gown. All the rest of the week I wore feminine clothes. By Friday, when we went to the theater with Frances, my ears were sufficiently healed to wear my new earrings. During the intermissions I was introduced to several persons whom I already knew and was proud indeed when I received several complements on my beige gown. These encounters were always thrilling and each time I passed inspection my ego was further inflated. For almost another week I remained in dresses, then one morning decided to wear my own clothes. They felt horribly coarse and strange. Surprisingly I even missed my corset. Mother, true to her promise, didn't say a word. Sue, and late Frances, both expressed their disapproval in no uncertain terms. Frances, when asked to stay for dinner, refused unless I changed - so I gave in.

As I was lacing my corset Frances knocked, and coming in said she would help. I cheerfully agreed for it was always a struggle to lace myself tight enough. She soon had me pulled in. As I put on my petticoat and the black and white silk suit, she took up the wig and combed it out.

When I sat down in front of her she had to comb my hair carefully back to keep it from bulking to large under the tight fitting wig. We wore our hair long in those days and in addition I had not had a haircut since embarking on my feminine career. I remarked that I must get it cut as it was in the way and also uncomfortable under the wig. She requested that I put it off for a few days as she had an idea. I asked what it was but only got shushed for my pains.

The next time we went to Frances's, I wore my old favorite and most becoming outfit, the salmon suit. When we had taken our things off Frances took me upstairs. She sat me down at the dressing table and removed my wig. I asked, "Did I do such a horrible job of putting it up?"

"No Davy. It's not necessary that you wear it any longer. Your own hair will be long enough with the help of these." And she held up two switches for my inspection. First she parted my hair from ear to ear, combing the hair in front of this part forward. She then pinned the switches into this part and combed them back and down so that they mixed with my own hair. After fastening it into a long roll across my neck, she rolled the front part into a pompadour.

Finished, she held a mirror so I could see. It indeed did look nice. It was in the latest sleek style and ever so much more comfortable than the bulky wig.

"It looks grand Frances but how can I ever do it that was after I get a haircut?"

"Oh you mustn't do that!", she exclaimed.

"But I can't go around any longer looking like I do."

"Why I think it looks nice Davy."

"Yes, but what about my other clothes."

"Phoo to them Davy. After I've gone to all the trouble of getting these switches for you, you can't spoil their use by getting a haircut just so you can wear your nasty old pants." I dropped the subject at that time and went down with her.

When Mother saw my new hairdo, she was most complementary and said, "Now you won't have to worry about being detected with a wig Davy. Most women wear switches, so it won't make any difference if they are seen."

I had not realized how uncomfortable my wig had been until that evening. I was surprised by the cool comfort of this new hair arrangement. I resolved however to get a haircut the next day but the next morning the sight of the switches on my bureau challenged me to try arranging them for myself. So before many minutes I was busy experimenting with the new hairdo.

Day after day I intended to get a haircut but the thought of a new hairdo made me defer it to the next day. Also, for more than a month, I wore nothing but feminine things and that removed much of the incentive.

During that time I was given a new frock, the basic black silk dress of the period. It had mutton chop sleeves, a high neck, and a drape suggestive of a bustle in back. I also talked Frances out of the blue silk dress with lace trim that I had worn at first. These new dresses gave me such a selection that I could always dress appropriately for almost any occasion.

One afternoon I screwed up my courage and dressed in my black gown, went shopping by myself. It took a lot of fortitude to make my first purchase but when that obstacle had been passed, I fairly went wild. I returned home well laden. Mother was both surprised and pleased when I showed her my new purchases - a lovely pink silk chemise, hosiery, a new purse, gloves, and a veil.

Finally came the day that marked the real turning point in my life. Resolved to get the long neglected haircut I waited until Mother was out. I then changed to my completely unfamiliar masculine attire. It felt almost as strange as had dresses the first time I wore them.

I had to walk around the house for some time to re-accustom myself. My skirts, corsets, and high-heeled shoes had completely changed my walk. I had to force myself to stride rather than take the usual quick short feminine step.

Finally I felt that I would pass, so taking my dusty hat from the closet I put it on. At first I thought it had shrunk for it merely perched on top of my head. Then I thought of my hair and stepped to the hall mirror.

Looking at myself from the masculine point of view, I realized that I looked absurd. My hair was impossibly long for a boy. The thought of the barbers probable reaction was so embarrassing that I fled upstairs and into the solace of petticoats. When Mother arrived home I asked her to cut my hair, but she absolutely refused. Angry at her I swore I would go out and get it cut the next day. Like many of my resolutions, I never carried it out.

A week or so later I returned from a shopping expedition to find that all of masculine clothing had been moved to the attic to make room for my expanding feminine wardrobe. During that week Aunt had given me a lovely rose lace evening gown with a black velvet cloak lined with rose satin. Mother had also given me a fine seal coat.

I was delighted with these new clothes and though I immediately wore the coat, I had to wait some time for an opportunity to wear the gown. Finally the night came and we were off to the theater. The gown left my shoulders and arms bare but was cut high enough in the bosom to conceal my deceptive padding. With it I wore a new pair of gold and coral earrings and arranged my hair lower on my neck than usual. I made an attractive picture for both Mother and Aunt gasped when they first saw me. At the theater I received so many favorable glances that I thrilled with pride.

Thus the winter fairly flew by and before I knew it I was engrossed with purchases for my summer wardrobe. Any remnants of desire to return to a masculine life disappeared at Christmas when I was showered with clothes and dainty underthings. I became very clothes conscious. With Aunts help, I developed very good taste, so with all the gifts and my own increasingly numerous purchases, I became a very chic young woman. By Spring my hair was so long that I could do with only one switch and before a year had passed, I dispensed with them entirely.

During the summer we took a trip and were so favorably impressed with what was destined to become one of California's most fashionable towns, that we decided to move there. While we were packing, I cut all ties with the past by giving away all of the masculine attire I had left.

When we arrived at our new home, we purchased a house large enough for the three of us and settled down to take our part in the life of the town. It was a happy life indeed and soon we were enmeshed in its social whirl. At first I had difficulty meeting men from the feminine point of view but by thought and coaching I soon felt at ease in any circumstances. In fact I became quite a belle and was given a rush by several young men.

This was a lot of fun but I had to be constantly on the alert to repel any amorous advances. This attitude at first seem to make the men more eager than ever. When they learned it was no mere pose, they settled down to treating me a good friend which was a most satisfactory basis. I also made many feminine friends and soon got so that I could hold my own with the best of them about the most intimate feminine matters. One day about a year after our arrival Frances came in a most exasperated mood. She had unable to find any nice underthings in the shops and remarked that she had a mind to start a decent shop of her own. At the time this remark didn't make any particular impression on me but in time the idea became intriguing to both of us.

Soon we were enmeshed in our plans to open a really smart specialty shop. Most of our friends thought that we were a couple foolish women destined to fail but despite this we continued our plans. We were terribly green and had a hard time making the necessary arrangements and getting our stock together. Finally we were ready and held our grand opening.

Most of the women we knew dropped in on opening day more from curiosity than anything else. When they saw the exquisite things we had, we got nothing but favorable comments.

From the first our effort prospered. In the beginning our lack of business experience at first kept us from doing as well as we might have. From our small beginning with nothing but lingerie, hosiery, handkerchiefs, and veils we slowly branched out, first into corsets, then hats and veils. Finally we became a complete women's shop.

I learned as we grew and in time even Frances had to admit that my taste was better than hers. I loved our twice yearly shopping trips to the East and could hardly resist keeping for myself most of the lovely gowns and accessories we purchased for the shop. As it was I soon became the best dressed woman in town and the more gowns I had the more I wanted.

Thus the years have rolled by. I am now middle age but still chic looking. I never think of myself as a man and the thought of wearing men's clothes is abhorrent. I am very happy in my feminine role and ask nothing more.

(author unknown) (Sent to me kindly by Barbara)