The President is said to have answered him:
"I shall consider it a personal favor if you will remain until after the annexation."
"How long will that be?" asked the officer.
"It is very close at hand," was the President's reply.
This looks as if we would have great news from the Sandwich Islands ere long.
This probability of annexation explains the reason why Queen Liliuokalani, the Queen of the Sandwich Islands, has been in Washington this winter.
You remember that we told you how President Cleveland tried to restore to her her lost throne, and that he failed to do so.
When the Queen arrived in Washington this season it was at once supposed that she had come for some purpose; and either intended to make friends with the incoming President, or to persuade Mr. Cleveland to make one more effort to help her before he went out of office.
Her suite and advisers kept their counsel so closely, that no one could find out the true reason for her visit. A few days ago, however, her secretary stated that the Queen considered that the republican form of government in the Islands could not last much longer.
She said that it had been hurriedly established when she gave up her throne, and that the people are tired of it.