The Washington herald., 1909-01-10

The BeIaxco-eFhe Easiest Way"
Frances Starr viii be presented by
David Belasco as a star at the Belasco
Theater this week in a new play me
Easiest Way by Eugene Walter author
of Paid in Full" The scenes are IN THIS
country and the people are Americans
Miss Stars role is said TO call for emo
tionaI power. Mr.. Belasco viii be IN
Washington 10 supervise the production
in which Miss starr viii be supported by
Emma Dunn. Laura Nelson Hall, Joseph
KiIgour. William Sampson, and Edward
H Robins.
Mr. Walters play was produced last
week in Hartford and was acclaimed
with high favor. The coming week here,
however. AZ his own theater. Mr.. Belasco
considers Miss STAIRS real premiere in
The Easiest Way" since il IS his Gus
tom 10 invite Washington's criticism be
fore taking a play into New York for its
metropolitan run. As Miss starr goes di-
rectiv 10 the BelascO-Stuyvesan Theater
in New York, opening Tuesday week, the
significance and importance of the com
ing week in Washington, both TO the star
and her manager. cannot be overesti-
mated
The principal figure Is Laura Murdoch.
from Australia. She has been married,
and in New York goes on the stage IN
der the protection Of Willard Brockton,
wealthy man OF the world who finances
musical ventures. A summer engagement
takes her 10 Colorado. and she lives in a
cottage perched on the side OF the wild
tie Pass. Brockton Is visiting her. but
finds that in Denver she has fallen in
love with young reporter. Madison, and
even now expects him. He takes the
situation calmly. as their bond becomes
understandingly void on due notice Of
either party Madison arrives. the lady
waves her scarf TO him and in ecstasy
flies down the road. He proves manly
fellow. with a fine cowboy favor He
knows all about her history and viii
marry her as soon as he Is able But he
works on q small salary She must re-
turn 10 New York and wait. and when
he has secured his fortune he viii come
and marry her. The breath Of youth and
hope and confidence is strong In the
young Westerner. and equally impressive
is the quiet worId-wisdom OF the New
Yorker II an interview the state OF the
case is settled between the two. Brock
ton warns the young man that he cannot
hold Laura without money. and prom
ises that II the lady changes her mind he
II the next act Laura is in New York
IN dingy and disordeTIy lodgings. With
out Brockton's help she cannot get an
engagement. She is at the end Of her re-
sources John AIadisOn's picture hangs
here and there and IS ad0red and kissed.
But that doesn't bring bread and butter
and hats and clothes Then appears FL
sic St Clair. dashing and richly clad.
who adheres 10 a protector She Incl
dentaIly puts forth an argument of
searching force for her condition. II IS
the argument Of ease and pleasure. the
argument OF the life that. ike the eIe-
mental force Of water. seeks the point Of
least resistance 70 obtain its level At
last Laura worn down by contrast Of
her own condition with Elsie's. consents
10 see Brockton: and he IS close al hand
The pact IS renewed But BroCkJOn,
whose keynote Is square dealing with all.
insists that she write Al once 20 John
Madison TO tel him Of the change and
bid him gOOd-by. He dictates the letter
The man treats IL as square business
affair. After BrOckton's departure she
burns the latter announcing her faith
lessness.
Then the couple dwell IN luxury al a
fashionable hotel A telegram arrives. II
Is from the Western lover He has heard
nothing OF her change. He has made a
fortune and is coming 10 New York 70
marry her. He is on the way and may be
with her any moment Then Brockton
realizes the approaching storm and forces
the woman 10 confess. she has burned
the letter and thus made him dishonor-
able in the eyes OF Madison He. SO
proud Of his sQuareness, now appears as
If he had betrayed the young man But
he relents and consents that Laura should
receive Madison alone The young West
erner rushes in All the imprisoned JOY
in the woman bursts its bounds She
<0rgets all but her lover. She has prom
fsed BrOckton 10 tell the story. but not
a word Of II is spoken She VIII marry
him that afternoon Then. as Madison
goes. she flies over the room and packs
her trunks. The fourth act brings back
Madison. He has heard stories on the
street and asks her 10 deny them
only 10 deny them. that IS all She de-
MES and lies squarely. Then walks IN
BrOckton with the air OF the proprietor
Of the rooms and sits down The situa-
ton IS evident, and the woman must con-
fess. The finale It would not be fair 70
disclose.