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BREWSTER, MASS., July 11, 1888. -- There is a pine grove near our house, and while walking there yesterday Helen discovered two trees growing close together. What do you suppose the little witch said while she was standing by them? She pointed to the larger of the two trees, and spelled with her fingers "husband." Then added that the smaller one was a "wife;" and the little shoots she called the "children of the trees." What do you think now of the little woman's imagination?

The study and perusal of books of science and fiction have without doubt furnished indispensable means and methods for the cultivation of Helen's imaginative faculty; but the special fields for its most active exercise have been found in geography, history and poetry. The condition of the earth in pre-historic times, its chemical, zoölogical and meteorological constitution, the plants and animals that grew or moved upon its surface, together with its relations past, present and future to other worlds, afford scope for the quickening and development of the most lively imagination. The annals of the human race also are filled with scenes of which Helen's mind never tires, while the immortal works of the great masters of verse, created under the influence of the power of the talisman which genius has placed in their hands, retain a steady hold upon her heart, and are to her eternal sources of inspiration.

Helen's writings show the fecundity of her imaginative power. They sparkle with perfect crystallizations of fancy's blossoms, which are sometimes huddled in clusters upon the blazing page. The following letter, which I received from her last summer, illustrates the flights of her imagination, as well as the aptness of her metaphors and the energy of her expression: --

TUSCUMBIA, ALA., Aug. 8, 1891.

MY DEAR MR. ANAGNOS: -- I shall not let this beautiful bright morning pass without writing to you, for I am sure you are wondering why the south winds bring you no pleasant news of Helen.

I have thought about you many times every day, and wished that you were here to share in the joys which have come to me. You know about the beautiful surprise which came to us on the "glorious Fourth," two days after I reached home. Oh, how I wish you could see the lovely, fragile little thing that is curled up in mother's arms! I do not think you would dare to touch baby brother yet, because, you see, he is so tiny and soft and weak that a tall man might hurt him. I have named him Phillips Brooks, for my good and dear friend Bishop Brooks. I hope little Phillips will grow up tender and wise and loving like his namesake.

We had a delightful time at Mr. Wade's. Archer and a little girl who was visiting him and myself had great fun playing with the donkeys, of which there were thirteen. We also rode horseback, and teacher and Mr. Jack had some very exciting races. I was very sorry indeed to leave my kind friends, although I was eager to get home. I found Mildred shy and merry, and as lovely as a summer morn. I had a great deal to tell mother of the dear, loved friends whom I had left in Boston, and of all the pleasant things which happened last winter. I was pleased to find my birthday letter waiting for me, and thank you for it and for the pretty gift which I received on my birthday from you. I found Neddy fat and lazy as a donkey can be. When he saw me he gave a queer little sniff, as though he would say, "Dear me! what a tall girl! I hope she does not expect me to carry her!" Eric is very fond of teacher and me. She will not willingly be separated from us a moment. When I take my nap after dinner she lies down beside me quite cosily. She has the same intelligent, loving expression that I used to feel in poor Lioness's face. But now I am going to tell you something which will astonish you! I have a splendid new pet! A beautiful, high-spirited black pony! Oh, such fun! such fun as I shall have galloping over the fields on my Black Beauty! Mr. Wade gave him to me. I wish I could bring him to Boston, so that you could see me ride.

We have had the greatest quantity of fine fruit this summer, peaches, grapes, plums, watermelons, and in a few days the pears will be ripe. Teacher is downstairs helping mother preserve plums, and nurse little Phillips, for his nurse would not stay, and poor mother is not very strong, I fear. I do not know what I should do without teacher. When she is busy helping mother the hours seem very, very long to me; but I will not fret. As soon as she can she will come to me, and we will be happy, oh, so happy together! Mother says that I have a great deal to thank you for, and I do thank you and love you for all your goodness to me. I love you more because you sent my precious teacher to me than for everything else you have done for me.

We have had several thunder-storms this summer, and teacher and I watched from our window the great black clouds chasing one another swiftly across the sky, seeming to growl angrily when they met, and sending bright flashes of lightning at each other like swords. I liked to fancy that there was an army of warriors living on the planet Mars, and another army of giants living on Jupiter, and that all the noise and tumult was caused by a great battle going on between them. The rain, I suppose, which usually falls in heavy drops after one of these battles, shows that the warriors are sorry for their bad conduct, and are weeping over the distress they have caused. This thought made me feel more kindly toward them, and when I found that the air was fresher and sweeter, the flowers brighter, the grass greener, and that the sun never looked so smiling and happy as he does when he brings us the glad news that the battle is over, why, I was grateful to the giants and the warriors for the battle.