Dear Sir, - I am 23 years old and my friends tell me I am pretty and my figure is perfect - that is, except for one thing, for my right leg was amputated at about 5 inches from the hip when I was 8 years old.
Up to the time I left school I used a peg-leg, but after leaving I realised that I was not very attractive, and took to crutches and finally to a single crutch. I had the usual boy and girl friends, and on the whole I did not give much thought to my loss.
The boys were always particularly nice to me, and most careful not to show undue curiosity. By the time I was 17 I had developed very nicely, and I often heard the remark, "What a shame that such a pretty girl should be one-legged!" And I was inclined to agree.
Quite frequently I could not help being aware that I was being followed, and one young man was especially persistent. Whenever possible, he would take a seat opposite me in the 'bus and take covert glances. I rather resented his scrutiny, and one day asked him what he meant by it.
He was most apologetic, but stammered out that he was much attracted by me, but was afraid to speak. I was not attracted by him, and dismissed him. This incident, and many others, convinced me, however, of the existence of the one-legged kink.
When I was 18 I went to Hastings with a girl friend for my summer holiday. It was a time when skirts were worn very short, and I believe I made an attractive figure in my short-skirted flimsy summer dress, leaving, as it did, my single leg fully displayed.
We arrived at our boarding-house in the evening, and almost immediately went down to dinner. The room was crowded, and I was conscious of rather more than the usual interest as I walked in supported by a single crutch.
We were placed at a table of a man of about 30, his very attractive young wife and a man who was the younger brother of the other man. We found them pleasant, and the young man was very attentive to me.
My friend had placed my crutch a yard or two away against the wall, and after dinner Fred, the young man, fetched it and adjusted it under my arm. His brother's wife then rose from the table, and I was amazed to see her husband reach down and pick up a crutch, which he placed under her right arm.
She walked round the table towards me, and as she came fully into view it was apparent that she, too, had lost her right leg and, to take the coincidence further, it was obvious from the way her skirt was disturbed under the hip, that her stump was about the same size as my own.
She invited me into her bedroom, and told me how pleased and interested she was to meet a one-legged girl as charming as I - a compliment which I returned with sincerity. After a pleasant chat I rejoined my friend and we struck up a friendship with Fred and another young man.
During the days which followed, Fred was most attentive to me, and indeed we were nearly always together. One evening towards the end of my stay I went for a stroll with Fred in the park. Fred confessed his love for me, and I pointed out my deficiency.
He protested that I was as active on my one leg as some people were on two, and went on to confess that he was fascinated by my condition, which was one of the chief attractions I had for him. I gave in, of course, and eventually we were married about two years ago.
Thus, apart from occasional regrets, I have been very little troubled at any time by my lack of a right leg, and now that I am happily married I have no regrets at all.
Yours truly,
One-Legged Wife.