The Easiest Way (1917)

Laura Murdock is a young actress. Her husband, a drunkard, is killed by a fall. Laura goes to New York to get an engagement, and finds herself blocked at every turn by the petty jealousies and politics of the profession. Willard Brockton, a wealthy broker, has been asked to finance a production and has refused. He meets Laura and becomes interested, furnishes the producer with money, demanding in return that Laura be given the best role in the piece. Eventually Brockton claims the customary reward of such assistance, although Laura holds out as long as possible. The following summer she goes to Denver for a stock engagement, and falls in love with John Madison, a newspaper writer. He cannot afford to marry, and Brockton, who comes west to take Laura back with him, sneers at the idea of his marrying the luxury-loving Laura. Laura promises to wait, however, and Brockton promises Madison that if Laura returns to him he will let Madison know. Laura returns to New York, and Brockton's influence prevents her from getting an engagement. She reaches the end of her resources, and not hearing from Madison submits to what she regards the only course open, a renewal of her relations with Brockton. Brockton dictates a letter to Madison which Laura promises to mail, but she burns it instead. Madison finds gold and hurries to New York to marry Laura. He discovers the facts of the situation, and Laura confesses that she burned the letter Brockton had promised to send. Deserted by both men she becomes desperate, and tries to fling herself into the dissipations of the night life of Broadway. She is disgusted, however, and attempts to end her life in the river. She is rescued and taken to a hospital. Madison is notified, and learns also of the fight she made to remain true to him. He hurries to her side just in time to let her know he understands and forgives, and she dies in his arms.