He watched her anxiety with sympathy, and in a way became her confidant.

His tender heart, which never could resist suffering, was deeply touched at sight of her distress.

Finally McNeill's letters ceased altogether; and then Anne confided to Lincoln something which McNeill had told her before he left, and which until now she had kept secret,--namely, that his name was not McNeill but McNamar.

He had explained to her that he had made this change because his father had failed in business and that as his oldest son it was his duty to retrieve the family fortunes.

So he had changed his name, and come West, hoping to return in a few years to his family a rich man.