The Washington times., 1920-08-29

body p.rfum.d. m....s.d and pow.
dered. In her arms she carried
mark this detail-a huge bouquet
OF orange blossoms. Altogether
she seemed more like bride 60
ing to wedding, an exotic Oriental sort
Of wedding. than poor condemned pris-
oner.
And here IL the reason why the con-
demned Mata-Hari was so gay and deb.
onair Some one high in authority, 1t Is
whispered, said to her before the execu.
ton:
"Mata-Hari, We are not going to kill you.
You are too beautiful to die. could not
prevent the death sentence from being
passed, but have arranged that 1t shall
not be carried into effect. When the SOL
diers are called to attention, preparatory
to the order to fire, bury your face in this
bouquet OF orange blossoms. It will help
you to maintain your composure. When
you hear the report Of the rides fall to the
ground, as though you were dead.
"They will fire blank cartridges, thai
will not harm even the surface of your
beautiful skin. Do not make any outcry.
Do not show any fear. will take care Of
you afterwards"
This, then, was the reason why Mata,
Hari faced her dreadful fate, not merely
with calmnsss. but with brazen gayety.
When she arrived at vincennes the mill.
tary commandant took her record, accord
ing to the rules. She answered his Ques-
tions with q gay toss Of the head and a
flash OF her dark eyes. Without delay she
was led to the parade ground.
The officer in command consulted her
as to how she wished to face the firing
squad. With the utmost nonchalance she
declared that she would remain standing.
|, with her eyes unbandaged. Before taking
up her position. as ordered she executed
a pirouette with all her old dancers skill.
Her frivolity amazed the soldiers and filed
them with certain admiration. Her dis
regard Of death has since then been COM
mon talk among old soldiers.
II am ready whenever you are, my chill.
dren," she called out cheerfully. Fire
straight at my heart"
At the word of command twenty soldiers
raised their rifles to their shoulders. Mata-
Hart buried Ter face in her great bouquet
of orange blossoms with voluptuous ges-
ture.
F1re! rang out tn0 COMMAND.
Mata-Hari crumbled to the earth, her
body pierced by nearly twenty bullets.
Someone had fooled her. But what was
the meaning Of this tragic fpolingf
Did somebody tell her she would bo
saved Just to spare her feelings, to save
her from the agony Of anticipating death
and to prevent the painful scenes which a
woman might easily have caused? Was 1t
really kindness thus to deceive herr Was
II the French conception of chivalry that
prompted the act-the chivalry that says
a woman should never suffer any avoid
able distress? Was 1t the plan Of some
official, who aimed to avoid shocking
scenes which could certainly reflect no
credit on the Government
That the deception was due to one OF
thase causes is the opinion of half of
those who have heard Of the strange cpl
sode. On the other hand, there are others
who believe that the plan to rescue her
was the work Of lover; that II was peant
to be carried through successfully, and
that through some other officials act the
scheme was frustrated. The great prob
lem, then, is to find out II anybody had
the power to save her and who 1t was that
interfered with his scheme.
According to an artist, who movec in
the same circle as Mata-Hari and her
friends, the man who told her that he
would rescue her added these words after
those already quoted:
"After you have fallen to the earth the
soldiers will 60 away. Then win pick up