The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-02-27
A BONE OF
 CONTENTION
Advertiser.
By Mrs. M. L. Rayne.

A pyramid or bones unu auOnS thcm one of such manifest destiny that t at- tracted the eye as if by magic. a wick ed looking bone with bandy legs and two m shaped feet. an instrument of fate endowed with strange power in love affairs. half sister to the horse show. that weird blt of social demon ology. a CAicken's wlshbone.
 The fact Is always emphasized when the modern black art Is practiced that the bone must belong to chicken; but, as no other fowl. not excepting the bird of America. the turkey, possesses such an appendix. the distinction seems unnecessary,
 The bone on the pyramid was res cucd from destruction by the white hn- gers of girl. who dressed lt and hung lt over the outside door. When It had been lodged there an hour, man came in. He was tall. and as he came under the "conjure" he brushed 1t with his head and dlslodged lt.
 Well. you're lt," laughed the girl as he stopped and picked It from the floor. That Is the first time you ever came under the wishbone."
 "Wn you break it with me, Nell? You know l believe In lt as an omen. We will both wish, and the one that gets the wish piece must tell the other what wish was made"
 "Oh. let's tell beforehand. Health and prosperity Is an wish for. Am l not moderatef"
 "I wish" said the man. that we are married at Christmas and live happily ever"
 "That sounds like the ending to dime novel love story. Seeing that we arc not even engaged. it would take a stronger force than that of wish bone to marry us by Chrlstmas.
 Nell. will you marry meT
 She had waited seven years for this. and now that it had come lt was most welcome. and lt angered her that q miserable chicken bone could supply an opportunity for this laegard In love. A panorama of war flashed uGIuNN utI uNlleNls AHN EAtAt Nt "t tti0t the nutter of flags. a soldier promoted for bravery. then forgctfulncss and sl- lence. She looked at the serious. stolld face of the man as he stood holding the arbltcr of human destnies be- tween thumb and forednger and de- clded:
 "Yes. David. but please do not give your chicken bone too much credit You may not get your wish after all.'
 It went anart with snap. and Da' vld held the long piece. and his sats' faction over lt was immense.
 "well. 1t worked, didn't lt? We will keep the pieces. and they will bring us good luck. I have always had the greatest faith In wishbone omenS."
 Yet 1t was necessary that lt should fall and strike you before you accepted lts dlctum." suggested Nell.
 David Wilson wrapped the bone Of fate In a tissue paper covering and laid it away carefully among his cherished possessions. Nell dropped hers Into her clovebox. wished the chicken that owned it had never been born. rated herself for a fool and sat down to have a good cry.
 Engaged to David Wilson! Why, l might as well be engaged to father And all I'm doing 1t for Is to show Ransom Hale that am not breaking my heart for L,m even fl he is wear ing fine new shoulder straps. The mean thing. never to write a word! Oh. David. you supersttlous. good. old stupid. how will get you or my hands? Seven years of acquaintance ship ought to count for something. Oh. chicken bone, engine of destiny, how I hate you"
 And the next day when Captain Hale called on Nell and asked her to marry him she consigned all chicken bone wishes to perdltlon while she made a clean breast of her affair with David. And what the captain meant by hold Ing her in his arms while he heard her story can easily be guessed. Then they went into session as committee of ways and means to clrcumvent the plans of destiny set in motion by that wishbone.
 A week later David presented himself In state of abject depression. "Tye lost my luck" be said In crape edged tones.
 Lost on business dealy" suggested Nell warily.
 "No: lost my wishbone. l put it owov carefully. and now it cannot be