NURSE CAVELL.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15075, 19 May 1919, Page 2

NURSE CAVELL.

CHAPLAIN'S STORY OF FAHE-

WELL INTERVIEW

The Rgv. H.'S.-T. Gahan, of the Colonial' and Continental Church Society, who elected to remain in Brussels with his wife, during the whole period of thfi war, told the story in London recently, at Zion College ■ of his last interview with Nurse Cavell in prison. He made her acquaintance first of all, he said, in . the nursing home which ■Nurse Cavell had made'a rendezvous for British and Belgian soldiers, who were assisted ,to escape across the Dutch frontier.

After her arrest; through the services of a German pro-chaplain - Mr Gahan receivpd permission to- see Miss Cavell in prison on the night before the death sentence was carried out. He met this chap Jam, who remarked:: "I am sorry to say she is to be shot to-morrow morning!" :

Mr. Gahan continued: "We went to the cell door, and it opened, and Miss Lavell stood in.the.door.vi ay. I had gone prepared for a very trying scene. There stood my friend—looking calmly swees as anyone could look. She was collected and^unchanged, except that she appeared better for the enforced rest. The warder withdrew, and -we were not interrupted. "I remember practically all she said. Hie was thankful for the quiet time, as her lite had been such a rush and burden rf. ia » respects. She was thankful for the complete solitude, especially during the latter part of her imprisonment She was not sorry to go for her life had contained so much trial that she was weary beyond endurance. Lhey have treated me very kindly + ei<e ' she said. 'I expected my sentence but X am glad to die for my coun^ try. In the sight of eternity, I know itis not enough to love your own You i m msu eaU and n(>t "ate any.' » The 'little Communion vessels were placed on a chair, and after the service Mr Gahan recited "Abide With Me.'" Aurse Cavell joined under her flbreath softly,' said Mr Gahan, "and we saifi it through together, all but one verse, lnen I felt I must not stay much longer, for 1 had been there an hour. I stood up and said, <Good-bye,J and we were lace to face. She was looking slightly strained but nothing more. We shook hands and smiled, and I added: '-We shaU meet again. ■ Good-bye !' " Mr Gahan stated that the sentence was carried out next morning on the National Rifle Range, Brussels. The great crime of hurrying the execution belonged to the military governor of Brussels, who would not wait to communicate with Headquarters.