Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-09-24
THE COOUETTE OF ARLON.


learned maintain that the name of Arlor
was derived from two words ara lana
signifying "altar of the moon" 1t is
perhaps for this reason that the young
women Of this ancient town now and
then had odd fancies. Apropos OF
this, propose to relate a story which
Mr.. Adolphe Dechamps must have lis.
tened to when he was Governor of Lux
embourg, for it is one of the traditions
of that province. All the Arlonese
know it, and write it down for the ben
eft of those who have not been COVER
nors of provinces, and whose ancestors
have not worshiped the moon.
1t Is said that about one hundred
years ago there resided in Arlon young
girl named Gertrude. She was eigh-
teen years of years age, and was gay,
frank and good-natured, always smiling
and happy, and full of life and activity.
She was the daughter of Charles Stock,
wealthy proprietor of the little town,
and generally designated as Stock, Jr.,
to distinguish him from his father and
grandfather, who were living. "They
last long Ill the family" was local ex-
preston.
Gertrude had many admirers, but
none OF them appeared to make an i'm
preston on her heart. This, with her
fascinating manners. gave her the name
of the "Coquette of Arlon." Do not
take this appellation in its hardest
sense, for her father and mother allowed
her to do as she pleased, having the ut
most confidence in her. And it was not
misplaced. Among the many who
sought her hand in marriage were
four young men of the town who de-
served special attention, their names,
Sigismond de Vletter, GILES Collin,
Wenceslas Stroobant, and Lambert
Won Moll. The first named was so
calm and undemonstrative that the
other three did not give themselves any
uneasiness about him. They, on the
contrary, were so pressing that the
neighbors all expected that she would
certainly marry one OF them.
The four suitors pressed their claims,
each one in his own way urging her to
decide in his favor. So one day in Sep
TENDER, 1743, she devised a stratagem
by which to test their courage and af-
lection. Her parents once more al
lowed her to have her own way, for as
she never undertook anything without
first consulting them, we may suppose
that they were not the stern and tyr
annical parents that usually fall to the
lot of the unfortunate heroines of mod
ern romances. About a quarter of a
league from Arlon, in field belonging
to her father. Gertrude had often Lo-
ticed an old Roman tomb, which no one
dared approach on account of its ghost
~ reputation. All sorts of strange and
mysterious stories were told about it.
This tomb has now disappeared, can
not say how. Gertrude resolved to
make it the center of her batteries.
GILES Collin came as usual and ut
tered more ardent and passionate pro-
testation of love than ever, declaring
that he would willingly walk over
burning Goals to please her.
So am not so unreasonable as to re-
q1ire that of you," she said; "all
things considered, / do not refuse to
marry you, but / wish to have a proof
of your devotion, and at the same time
of your courage"
4" Very we'll" answered GILES, "I
will give you any proof of that you can
demand only say what it shall be.
"You know" replied she, "the an
cient tomb which is situated on knoll
quarter OF league from town."
Yes" replied the puzzled GILES,
have seen it from distance there
is nothing remarkable abour it."
"Well, this evening at 9 o'clock 1
want you to go, without saying word
to any one about it, and lie down in the
old tomb.
SIN the witches den? What ca
price"
"And you must remain perfectly mo-
tionless until midnight"
"But, Gertrude, what are you think
ing Of? What is your object ?"
"You are a coward. You are trem-
bling already. Perhaps it is caprice,
but I have my project, and l wish to
try you. If you do as I wish 1 shall
know that can trust you, and, provid-
ing that you remain there from 9o'clock
until midnight, my heart is yours. If
you refuse / shall marry some one
else"
Struck by the decided tone of the
RlIl. OliIco OdIcu uOt OllcI luItucT OD-
lection, but he thought of the freezing
recitals to which he had listened; of
apparitions from another world that
had been seen gliding around the tomb,
and of the witches who held their noe
turnal meetings and made it place of
deposit for their unguents and diaboli-
cal compounds. In truth fires had
sometimes been seen burning near there
through the night, and surrounded by
groups of sinister or grotesque-looking
faces but they were undoubtedly gyp-
sizes, with which Luxembourg and Linn
bourg were at that period infested.
But some persons professed to have
seen supernatural beings, and thou
sands of wonderful stories were related
about them. For a year, however,
nothing had been seen there, and
though Giles was more afraid than he
would have cared to acknowledge, he
was so deeply enamored of the young
girl that he accepted the condition, and
promised to do what was required of
him without divulging his intentions to
any one.
Shortly afterward Wenceslas Stroo-
bant came in his turn. Gertrude gave
him very gracious reception. He was
handsome and rich, and fully conscious
of these advantages, he felt confident of
the success of his suit.