[Illustration: WHITE PIGEONS HERALDED THE APPROACH OF VENUS (p. 164) ] ON A LARK TO THE PLANETS _A SEQUEL TO_ “_The Wonderful Electric Elephant_” _BY_ FRANCES TREGO MONTGOMERY _Author of_ “Billy Whiskers” “Billy Whiskers’ Kids” “Billy Whiskers, Jr.” Etc. _Illustrated by WINIFRED D. ELROD_ AKRON, OHIO THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO. NEW YORK _1904_ CHICAGO COPYRIGHT, 1904, By THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY MADE BY THE WERNER COMPANY AKRON, OHIO LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO JULIET MARIE BREITUNG ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE White pigeons heralded the approach of Venus, _Frontispiece_ They found them enclosed in little jeweled acorns, 26 Coming toward them were two beautiful beings, 50 The giant raised his sword, 76 They reminded one of the alchemists of old, 100 They were soon gliding through canal after canal, 126 All the choruses are heavenly and harmonious, 150 CHAPTER I. Nearer and nearer toward strange and unexplored regions, higher and higher sailed the Wonderful Elephant, borne along by the great silken balloon. Harold and Ione, the Prince and the little Princess slept peacefully. It was midnight by the hands of the clock, but the boundless aerial space through which they sped was lighted by myriads upon myriads of twinkling stars. On and still on through diamond-specked space the Elephant floated safely. Above, below, to right, to left, and round about in all directions, flashing, glittering globes of light were to be seen and of such dazzling hues and colors as had never been dreamed of by earth-bound mortals. The planet Neptune was wrapped in a bluish-green vapor; Uranus seemed a blinding white; Saturn emitted a yellow light; Jupiter shone like a glorious, crimson jewel; Mars blazed forth fiery red beams, while Mercury seemed bathed in a metallic green color. Our young travelers had watched these silent orbs until from sheer exhaustion they had fallen asleep. Suddenly, with a quick jerk, the balloon came to a dead halt. “Mercy, what can be the matter!” said Ione, springing up. “Do you suppose that the balloon can’t carry us any higher?”