WOMAN SPY'S LAST TOILET.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 236, 2 October 1920, Page 19

WOMAN SPY'S LAST TOILET.

HOW MATA JIA.RI MET 'HER D-RATH. Recollections of the end of some of the 'many spies whom he sent to their <lootn Iduring the war are contributed by Captain Bouchardon to the French magazine "Lectures pour Tous." The first execution »f a spy, at Vincennos, tool; place on February 22. 1015. "It was snowing in heavy flakes,'• says Rnui'hardon. "The execution had been somewhat improvised. There was no stake, and when the gendarmes unlocked the chain wbic-Ti fastened the "prisoner's wrists he stood there completely free. •'Behind was the rifle butt, and bfthind that a wood. The man was tall, slim, and athletic. In a few strides he could •have been on top of the butt and disappeared into the wood. How was it the Idea [did not come to him?

•'But already the bolts rattle tome, the rides are levelled. The spy seems to defy them. "A volley rings out. He still stands upright. He makes a gesture as if to attack tlie firing party, out suddenly falls full length backwards. "It is a curious detail that before ileaving the prison rbe condemned man had made a will, leaving his watch and rings ;to his warders. Xone. however, could be found to accept the legacy." FAMOUS .DANDER'S END. Another spy executed at Vlncenues was a former tragic actor, who met death in 'melodramatic style. He first pronounced au Invocation to Nature, which was look ing her best that morning, with the son shining, birds singing. Then, in a hoarse voice, be himself gave the, order to fire. With grim realism, ißouchardon relates the last moments of the most famous woman spy of Hie war, the actress MaU Hari. When the warders awakened her at dawn on October 15, l'Jl7, they found her strangely changed. "It was au olil woman who lay on the low prison bed. lie says, "with 'hair turning grey on the temples and face marked by pitiless wrinkles. She sighed deeply, and several times parsed her hand Jjeavlly , across her eyes. "Then, all at once, she changed. Her face twisted itself into a smile, which never left it till the end. "Quickly rising, the once renowned beauty put on the clothes She wore at the time of her arrest, with a large feathered hat. white veil, and long gloves. "She simply ran downstairs to where the closed motor tar was awaiting her. Arrived on the muddy ground at Vincennes, stee tripped to the execution post, and while soldiers fastened her bonds, she waved her hand in a last farewell to the chaplata of the prison."