Plot

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.—Moving Picture World synopsis

Laura, a young woman from an impoverished desiring to be an actress, finds achieving success to be more of a struggle than she anticipated. She meets the wealthy Willard Brockton, and seduced by his gifts, realizes she will no longer have to financially struggle if she takes "The Easiest Way" and become his mistress. While living the high-life of luxury, she meets and falls in love with writer John Madison, who forgives her past transgressions as she was so desperate to escape poverty. Madison has to leave her to make his fortune to get enough money so they can marry, and while they are separated, Laura falls back on hard times. She returns to her wealthy benefactor, Brockton, and becomes his mistress. When a wealthy Madison returns two months later, he finds out what she has done and rejects her. Brockton also abandons her, repulsed by her greed. Laura must now find another man to support her or commit suicide.—Jon C. Hopwood