The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1872-09-26
THE COQUE1TE OF ARLON.


" Altar Of the moon" 1t is, perhaps, for
this reason tina. the young woman Of this
ancient. town now and then had odd !ancies.
Apropos Of this propose to relate story
which Mr.. \ lophe Dcchamps mus. have
listened to when he was Governor Of Lux
embour., for it was one of the traditions.
Of that province. Al the Arloncscs know
it, aud | write it for the beneti, of those
whc have not been governors Of provinces,
and whose ancestors have not worshipped
the moon.
1t is said that about one hundred years
ago there resided in Arlon Young girl
named Gertrude. She wa. sixteen years
Of age, and was gay, frank, and good ma
turel, always smiling and happy, and full
of life and activity. She was the daughter
of Charles Stock, a wealthy proprietor in
the little town, and generally designated as
Stock, Jr., TO distinguish him from his
father aud grand father, who were yet
Iiving.
They last long in that family" was
local expression.
Gertrude had mauy almircr-, bat none
of them appeared to make an impression
on her heart. This, together with her fss-
cinating manner, gave her the name Of the
CJquette of Ar,on." 10 not take this
appellation in its har.hcr scn.c. for her
] + = 4 4 4 4
pleased, having the utmost confidence III
her; and IT was not misplaced. Among
the many VIII, sought her hand in marriage,
Scre four young men Of the town who
deserved special attention. Their names
were Sigismond De Nilcttc, GILES Collin,
Wence.las Sto"bant, AMI Lambert Won
/ Moll. The iirst-namel was SO calm and
undcmon.trat:ve that the other three did
not ( We themselves any ancaslncss about
him. They. on the contrary, were So
pressing tIat the urishhors all expected
that sha would certainly MARI. oac "f them.
The fnur >.iitnr, pressed their ciam~,
each one in lis own way, urging her tn
iccile in his favor. 50 one day in Sep
tembcr, l743. she devise a stratascm by
which to test their courage and affection,
Her parents once I.,Hrc allowe Ter TO have
her own way, for, she never undertook
anything withou, consulting them. We may
supp ose they were not the h,r'! an ! tyran-
cal parent. that usually fall to the lot Of
unfortunate herp;ncs in modern r"mances.
4 quarter of league from trl"n, in a
field belonging t" her father, Gertrule hal
no one da-cl approach oa ace 'uat Of it>
ghostiv rcputati"n. All sorts "f strange
and mysterious stories were tod ahou:
it. This tomb has now di.arp- IL
cannot say h"w--t;ertraic r"-o.ycl to
make it the centre of her blttcrie-
Gilles Collin came aS usual and uttG:cl
more ar lent ard passionate rrnte>t;st:pnS
Of love than ever, dc.larin. that he wnll!
willingly walk over barnins Goals to please
her.
/ :" | a,n not t. be so unreasonable as to
require that Of vou, sail >hn: "ali thing.
considered, 10 not refuse - mIIry voi,
hut wish to have Il proof Of your Devotion,
aud at the same time of your coarag"."
"Nery well, ansv rel Gilles . will
give YOU any pro"fof ,hst YOU can demand;
only say What it shall be.
"iou know rrp!icl she, " the ancient
tomb which is situated on Il knoll, quar-.
ter cf "A league from town.
aies." replied the puzzlel GILES. Il
have seen It from distance: there is moth
ing remarkable about it.
| Nv ell, this very evening. at nine % clock,
| want you to ~, without saying a word
TO any ono about it, and lie down in that
| tomb
"In the witches DEM What o ca
price,.
And you must remain perfectly motion
less until midnight
But, Gertrude. hat are YOU thinking
of? What is yoar Object -
I You are a coward: vou are trembling
already. Perhaps it is a caprice, but
/ have my project. and | wish to try you If
. YOU do ~ wish, shall know that | can
trust You, AMI proviiin- yol remain there
from nine o'clock until midnight, nv h.an
! is yours. If you rcfase shall marry soiNl
one else"
I Struck bv the decided tone Of the youn.,