The evening times., 1897-02-08
QUEEN Lii WAS GRACIOUS
A Times Reporter Specially Favored
With an Audience.
She Had Called to Inquire CONCERN
ing Her Majesty's Health and
Was Received Kindly.


her arrival, cxQueen Liliuokalani accorded
a private audience to a representative OF
the press The exception was made in
favor of Times woman, and was an act
of voluntary kindness on the part OF her
majesty and Secretary Palmer, OF her
suite.
IL has been the reporters custom to call
daily at the s Shoreham to inquire after the
health OF the queen. On fine days, when
she wore her test clothes, nothing hap
pended Saturday, however, she had
scarcely presented .herselfin Capt. Palnler's
little Office TO ask her question tefOre he,
excused himself, entered the royal apart
ments. and in about two minutes returned
with the announcement that the queen
would answer thcinquiry in person There
J come occasions when an open earth or
falling sky wouIdbe an accommodation, and
the reporter felt that such a time had come
I'm these cluthes?" she gasped; I'm
as wet Is the weather. Can't you let ne
run home and FIX"
You are all right" he answered en-
! couragin-ly Her majesty is the most
conSidcrate woman in the world; besides,
/ told her you were in rainy-day costume,
so YOU need not mind. y
1t was an awful state of affairs, but the
opportunity was not to be trifled with,
aud after a brief prelude Of precautions and
a Kindergarten lesson on How to Act Be
fore QueerIs,'' the secretary led the way
and the reporter followed on.
The queen was settled comfortably in a
low rocker, and her lady in waiting-a tail,
handsome woman, in a black frock, sat
back of her on the lounge. During the in
terview The Times woman stood before
her majesty, dripping like a waterspout,
and Capt Palmer stood somewhere be-
hind.
IL was evident that the visit had inter
rupted the queens studies, for her auto
harp was in her lap and its black shield
still circled her thumb. Propped hefpre
her were some sheets OF manuscript music
and on nearby table We're flowers that
perfuned the air. She did not rise, but
straightened and then inclined her body
and extended her hand with smile.
The reporter had been carrying wet
umbrella around all morning until her
gloves were in what Mr.. Mantalini would
call a .'demmed damp condition, but the
queen didn't seem to mind.
1t is a stormy morning" she said by
way OF q beginning.
The Times woman assured her that 1t
was
Your ma jesty is practiCing," she then
remarked, with a desperate consciousness
| that her turn to say something had come,
and the queen acknowledged the charge.
Il appreciate the interest that has been
expressed concerning my indsposition,"
she said, in response to another question,
| land am glad TO say that | am almost en-
tirely we'll"
Then The Times woman asked her ma 5esty
about her music
Il love to sing" she answered, with a
nice smile, and love to hear others sing"
She had just completed the autograph
compoSition Of the air that she was to
present in the afternoon &c the students Of
the National Park Seminary and spoke OF
the pleasure she anticipated in hearing the
young ladies sing.
The queen wore q house gown of coffee
| brown. cleckcd with tiny spots of crimson.
The material was some rich mixture Of
silk and wool. and the yoke was formed
of black passementerie of crimson satin.
Her hair was cooled in French twist,
and was caught with the silver comb she
wore at her public reception.
The reporter closed her visit with bow
| to her majesty and another to the lady on
the lounge. Then the lady also stood up
and bowed, and the queen Strengthened and
then inclined her body as she had done be
fore. Just at the last, when everything
was ending IN the most satisfactory fash
ion, the reporter surprised herself, and
probably everybody else, by hurting out:
Your majesty, think it was beautiful
in you to see me, and I'm very much
obliged 1t was bad break, but again
the queen didn't seem to mind.
The five minutes interview was too BRIEF
| to be of any value in a newspaper sense.
| The Times had sent its reporter in the
driving storm toinquire after the queen
health, and she had received its representa-
tive, to show her appreciation.