Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-06-13
THE CHOCOLATE GIRL.

1Eusly, impeded by the wet snow. Squads
of cavalry, booted and furred, dashed
through the town on their way to the out
posts, their horses hoofs Gathering against
the frozen ground.
Sentinels, wearing the uniform Of the
Prussian army, paced before the royal
palace, and from lace draped windows
peeped out the blonde heads and rosy faces
of young girls, who scented firtations and
adventures in the electrical excitement
pulsating in the air.
Frederick II had peacefully invaded
Dresden after the bloodless battle of Pima,
and the inhabitants, who had been left I'M
molested, were awaiting the result of the
arbitrations between their own monarch,
Augustus the Strong, and the stern young
Prussian king.
In the face of foreign invasion and the
presence of strangers who spoke their own
tongue and were almost of their own blood
the Dresdeners had lost nothing Of their
accustomed gayety. In the drawing rooms,
they danced and sang, in the restaurants
they ate and drank, and days and nights
flew swiftly.
But nowhere did conquered and conquer
ors meet on such terms Of perfect good fell
lowship as in the cafe Of M. Cocoa, who
owed his nickname to the excellence of his
chocolate and the beauty Of the girls who
served it.
On this winters day the place had been
crowded with officers, and when late in the
afternoon their brilliant uniforms had van
ished in obedience to the roll of drums, the
tables were quickly taken by band of art
lists and students, clad, according to the
customs of the time, in motley garb, Dor
rowed from every age and every cline.
Standing out boldly even against the mass
of color about him was the tall, handsome
figure of Frenchman costumed as Turk.
A crimson fez rested lightly on his crisp,
dark curls. Beneath the jacket Of pale blue,
embroidered in stars and crescents, the full
red trousers fell to the white leggings.
Around the waist was knotted soft sash
stuck full of swords and scimitars. This
was Lotard, the handsomest man and the
first painter in all Dresden.
In his hands the artist bore huge porce-
lain vase, which he carefully placed ON ia
BILE, and turning his laughing eyes full on
beautiful young girl who advanced to serve
him, he said:
Tomorrow, mademoiselle, is the fete of
Saint Cecilie and also your birthday. Will
you permit me to offer this vase as gift?
See," he added with graceful gesture, sit
is my own work, and among my pretty
shepherdesses none rival your own beauty"
The girl blushed and hesitated. "But,
monsieur
The artists bold eyes noted her confusion,
and with ready tact he guessed the cause.
''Do me the honor to accept, beg of you,
and in return 1 shall ask greater favor
the privilege of painting your portrait"
Cello still hesitated, but her eyes rested
longingly on the vase-an almost perfect
piece of Nielsen porcelain. She was young
She had true appreciation of the beauti-
full, and this rare treasure she well knew
could not be purchased by years wages.
But after moment she resolutely turned
from the temptation.
mo, monsieur; I thank you. cannot
accept"
Sure of his power, the handsome artist
bent over her.
"And why impossible, dear childf Let
me at least make the attempt-but per-
haps," he added, teasingly. "you fear to
trust my poor brush"
A gay laugh greeted this sally, and Nine.
Cocoa, scenting an advertisement for her
husbands cafe, now advanced to Celie's
side and urged her to consent.
But C:ie still shook her head firmly,
and turn to her employer murmured a
few words, among which only Louis"
f'fear," Jealousy" were distinguishable.
"But nonsense!" exclaimed madame,
struggling her plump shoulders, you are
silly child. Accept the vase; twill look
well among the wedding presents, and
grant Monsieur Liotard his wish. The
best portrait painter of all Saxonyl Your
lover will be only proud"
Madame Cocoa's speech was greeted by a
burst of applause and the merry clinking
of glasses.
"a toast! A toast to the modell'
A place was cleared by the window, and
eagerly Liotard arranged his materials on
the nearest table, The girl, still blushing,
stood before him.
Outside the snow had ceased falling, and
the late sunlight stealing through the win
dow streamed caressingly over the ideal
face and figure, rested amorously in the
bright hair, turning it's amber threads to
shining bronze, touched the velvet cheeks
with a deeper glow, left a. lovelier carmine
on the curving mouth and boldly kissed
the throat and forehead, powerless to tar
marvellous eyes, yelling with heavy fringes
bucl lIdAh dAo CCusAC1 ESAdASCo oACyl WV
were fecked with the sweet suns gold and
limpid with suggestions of youth and love-!
The classic contour of the face was framed
in pale rose colored cap.
Over the close fitting yellow corsage was
modestly crossed lace fchu, the ends
tucked under full white apron. Beneath
the short gray petticoat peeped out the
tiniest of high heeled big buckled shoes,
and balancing little tray with indescriba-
bic grace, in her long, transparent fingers,
the lovely Celie was posed for that immor-
tai pastel now in the Dresden gallery.
The students followed with breathless
attention the rapid movements of the art
list, who used his brush as If every mo-
ment were grain of precious gold.
The Gathering of cups and saucers had
ceased. Absolute silence reigned in the
cafe
Suddenly the stiffness was broken by a
cry of rage:
Monsieur! forbid you to continue"
] Every eye was turned toward the door.
A young man had entered rnobserved and
was regarding the scene before him with
flaming eyes.
After moments pause Liotard, who had
ceased his occupation, replied insolently;
whoever you may be, do not know what
rights you have over this young lady,
whose portrait am painting with her frei
consent. Speak, Cetie, is this not trues"
Before the anguish In her lovers face
Celie hesitated; then, disdaining to betray
her love to curioussg lances, she raised he,
head haughtily:
"You are right, monsieur, beg you tc
continue" -
"You hear?" said the artist with an i'm
pertinent smile.
Mad with anger the outraged lover re
piled:
81 hear-yes! too well. 1 comprehend
hut too clearly And it is for this woman
that l have braved everything-cold, hun
ger, famine! For her dear sake have trav
eled fifteen days and highs, famished and
frozen-I have crossed the Prussian lines
without passport-at the risk of impris
onment or death, and the reward of my de
votion is to find the woman expected tx
make my wife posing as model in publ,
cafe! You would know, monsieur, who
ann" Tearing the cloak from his shoulder
and pointing to the orders on his breast
the now frenzied man shouted: HE VIII,
has been guilty Of this mad folly is Loui
n,antz baron of Kottaritz, in the service O