Chapter I: Front Matter

The Belle of
Bowling Green

By AMELIA E. BARR

Author of “The Bow of Orange Ribbon;” “The
Maid of Maiden Lane,” Etc.

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!

And here’s to the maids of the past!
(They were beautiful maids we know,)
That strolled in the Battery Park,
In the years of the Long Ago.
And though maids of to-day are fair,
(No lovelier ever have been)
They are proud to be called by the names
Of the Belles of the Bowling Green.
Here’s to the men of the past!
Here’s to the maids that have been!
Here’s to the heart of New York,
That beats on the Bowling Green!

_The Belle of Bowling Green_