[Illustration: “THEY RESTED ON THE BENCHES, AND MADE LITTLE CONFIDENCES, AND WERE VERY HAPPY.”] The Belle of Bowling Green By AMELIA E. BARR Author of “The Bow of Orange Ribbon;” “The Maid of Maiden Lane,” Etc. [Illustration: colophon] With Illustrations By WALTER H. EVERETT A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK Copyright, 1904, BY DODD, MEAD & COMPANY _Published, October_ PRINTED IN NEW YORK, U. S. A. _To My Friend_ WARREN SNYDER _A Bookman and a Lover of Books_ _This Novel is Dedicated_ CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I MONDAY’S DAUGHTERS 3 II THE SPRING OF LIFE 30 III A SWEETNESS MORE DESIRED THAN SPRING 61 IV INTRODUCES MR. ST. ANGE 81 V A CHAIN OF CAUSES 115 VI THE MIRACLE OF LOVE 149 VII THE INCIDENT OF MARRIAGE 194 VIII THE ROSE OF RENUNCIATION 226 IX THE REPROOF OF THE SWORD 252 X THE STAR OF PEACE 296 XI AFTERWARD 321 _Prologue_ O shades of respectable Vans! O Livingstons, Kennedys, Jays! Lend me your names to conjure with, And bring back the fine old days-- When the trade and wealth of the city Lay snugly the rivers between, And the homes of its merchant princes, Were built round the Bowling Green. Here’s to the homes that are past! Here’s to the men that have been! Here’s to the heart of New York, That beats on the Bowling Green! Here’s to the men who could meet Mockers and doubters, with smiles; And planning for centuries hence, Lay out their city by miles. It has spread far out to the North, It has spread to the East and the West, Though the men who saw it in dreams, Now sleep in old Trinity’s breast. Here’s to the homes that are past! Here’s to the men that have been! Here’s to the heart of New York, That beats on the Bowling Green!