“‘Surely,’ I replied, and she kissed me and turned away with the three girls toward the Woman’s Building, while I ran lightly up the steps of the magnificent Art Palace, thrilling with anticipations of the pleasures in store for me in the contemplation of the wonders of art. Securing a catalogue at the door, I plunged into the eddying throng that filled the rooms, and gave myself up to the keenest delight. “The hours passed like minutes, and I never even remembered the luncheon hour in the feast of pictures and statuary spread before my appreciative eyes. Oh, how sorry I was that I should have but the one day for viewing all the wonders of this building! “But you have seen and enjoyed the Art Palace, Lena, so let me hurry on,” cried Violet, as she continued: “Quite late in the afternoon I observed that a very handsome and elegant young man seemed to be making the tour of the same rooms as myself, and even seemed attracted by the same pictures, so that he kept near me almost all the time. I was a little annoyed at first, fancying he wished to strike up a flirtation with me, but by completely ignoring him, I kept my suspected admirer at a distance, and finally I saw him turn aside into another room and supposed myself rid of his polite but admiring espionage. “Relieved at the thought, I continued my tour of the rooms until it grew late, and I hastily looked at my watch. But, after the careless habits of womankind, I had neglected to wind it that morning, and it had run down. “Turning to an old lady near me, I inquired the time, and was told it was half-past five o’clock. I thanked her and decided that I could remain some little time longer, as it would not take me over ten minutes to walk to the Virginia Building. “At the same time I observed that the crowd was rapidly thinning out, and the next moment a Columbian guard came through the rooms, telling the people that it was six o’clock and the building would now be closed. “My old lady’s watch had been too slow, and I realized with dismay that my friends at the Virginia Building must be very impatient waiting for my return. “Walking as rapidly as I could to the entrance of the Art Palace, I discovered, to my surprise, that the heavens were pouring out a perfect deluge of rain. It was so dark as to look like twilight. The ground was covered with a miniature river, and the vast crowds of people were moving toward the various gates under a forest of umbrellas. “Alas! I had lost my own umbrella that morning on coming out, and had rather rejoiced in my ill-fortune, it had proved such a nuisance to carry through the crowds. “I stood at the top of the broad steps, dismayed at the thought of venturing into that awful downpour in the thin costume I had worn for comfort this warm day. I realized that in less than five minutes I should be soaking wet, and not being very hardy, might probably suffer an attack of illness from the effects. “Suddenly an ingratiating voice sounded by my side: