E-text prepared by Kathryn Lybarger and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 21116-h.htm or 21116-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/1/1/21116/21116-h/21116-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/1/1/21116/21116-h.zip) THE EASIEST WAY A Story of Metropolitan Life by EUGENE WALTER and ARTHUR HORNBLOW Illustrations by Archie Gunn and Joseph Byron [Illustration: PICKING UP A HAT, LAURA LOOKED AT HERSELF IN THE MIRROR. _Frontispiece. Page 251._] W. Dillingham Company Publishers New York Copyright, 1911, by G. W. Dillingham Company _The Easiest Way_. A FOREWORD In presenting this story of a _declassee_ who attempts to redeem her scarlet past by a disinterested, honest attachment only to meet with dire, miserable failure, the authors wish to make it plain that their heroine and her associates are in no way to be identified with the dramatic profession. Laura Murdock represents the type of woman of easy virtue who is sometimes seen behind the footlights and helps to give the theatre a bad name. Although destitute of the slightest histrionic talent, she styles herself an "actress" in order to better conceal her true vocation. As a class, the earnest, hardworking men and women who devote their lives to the dramatic art are entitled to the highest regard and respect. No profession counts in its ranks more virtuous women, more honorable men than the artists who give lustre to the American stage. If such women as Laura Murdock succeed in gaining a foothold on the boards it must be looked upon merely as an unfortunate accident. The better element in the theatre shuns them and their theatrical aspirations are not encouraged by reputable managers. ILLUSTRATIONS Page Picking up a hat, Laura looked at herself in the mirror _Frontispiece_ 251 "I've bought a house for you on Riverside Drive" 86 She began to sew a rip in her skirt 162 She sank down on her knees beside him 273 Laura commenced to pack the trunk 307 John stood looking at her in silence 337 She crouched down motionless on the trunk 344 THE EASIEST WAY CHAPTER I.