 Autolight and its 96,000 dealers present Suspense tonight Autolight brings you a ring for maria a suspense play starring mr. Cornell while John it's a beautiful ring. So you like it a nice diamond, huh John I can't tell you how much Maria I would have done more for you and long ago, but for my business trouble like like a stone around my neck I know John the store. Yes the store That's why it's necessary to do this thing tonight for both of six Oh John it was crazy of me. I know but I was worried the way things were between us that Perhaps you didn't love me anymore, but no after tonight Mario There will be other moments like this many of them when we get our money from the fire insurance company We needn't rush back into business again after all we have been working hard for nearly ten years We'll go someplace enjoy ourselves first together. I can hardly believe it Only only I wish that tonight was over with When I think of what we must do. No, there's nothing to worry about maria in the morning You will be at your aunt's home in Minneapolis, and I I will be here to handle everything myself Don't you see you'll be safe And if I wasn't sure of everything would I be willing to stay alone and face all the questioning? Oh John You're willing to do this for both of us Maria for our future Now I can tell you how much this ring means to me As long as I live, I will never take it off now. I will go finish packing my bag He kissed me before she went and then I sat there on the couch and rubbed away at my mouth She always smelled like laundry water. I thought she was so weak older than I was Now she had never appealed to me as the kind of woman I should have If I hadn't been so frightened by America when I first arrived I would never have married her at all Maria and the marriage settlement her father offered He wanted her to have a nice boy from the old country said Yes, Maria and the money seem to go with this great new land No more slaving for a living. I could start a business and this big blonde would work But now our business at the store had gone to pieces. So burn the store With the fire insurance money, I I would have a chance for the kind of life. I deserved Oh, it was smart touch to give her the ring With that blinding her eyes. She'd do whatever I wanted her to do And afterwards there'd be no trouble divorcing her. I had tested her in quarrels She was the kind that takes your beatings silently In just a moment mr. Cornel Wilde in the first act of a ring for Maria ringing in the new year early I know have those are only the three chimes What three times the three chimes a year an auto light stay full battery needs water in normal car use Harlow you deserve life for that And I'll take it if it's the longer life of an auto light stay full because the stay full gives 70% longer life has proven by tests conducted according to SAE minimum life cycle standard your positive Harlow Positive is the word hap every positive plate in the auto light stay full battery is Protected with fiberglass retaining mass to reduce flaking and shedding and keep the power producing material in place You sure got your battery problem solved for 1951 Harlow, right hap and friends for the new year See your neighborhood auto light battery dealer and have him install an auto light stay full Battery the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use and remember You're always right with auto light And now with a ring for maria and the performance of mr. Cornel Wilde auto light hopes once again to keep you in Suspend Before I left the house. I told maria to be sure and telephone her auntie Minneapolis that she was coming Then I stopped unit of bar and ordered a whiskey and the bartender wasn't looking I spilled this whiskey all over my shirt front Next I telephoned my friend Frank Laszlo told him to stop in at my house at 1115 on his way home from his restaurant He would be my alibi. I was getting ready for the part of the plan. I hadn't told maria about yet And I wasn't going to tell her that part That part she was supposed to guess I'm so glad you're back. I tried not to think of it, but John You look what's the matter? I can't do it What I I can't go I can't trust myself. I even had some drinks to get up my nerve But no, I've been through too much all these months worrying you have been drinking. I can smell it You never told you I had to do something I tried to pretend that I was brave that this thing tonight because it meant so much to us I would go through with it, but I Can't I can't it takes a stronger person than I am but John if you mean the fire burning the store I'm glad we're not going to the terrible thing. Anyway, I'm glad what are you glad about? Insurances are only hope. You know what it means without it We have nothing it's the end of things of you and me of everything. I Will have to go away alone. I couldn't go on with you knowing that I'm a failure as a man It is not the end. I Can take the store We'll begin fresh again It was the only thing now we shall fail. I shall just go somewhere and disappear and you Yes, what about me that's what I hate to think about Then I that I must leave you if only this thing tonight could be done. It's so simple It's all arranged. We would have had happiness John John let me do it. You were willing to stay behind and face everyone while I was face at my aunt I Shouldn't I be willing to do as much now that this strain has proven too much for you? You stay here John. I will go to the store I will do it myself and then get on the train. It will be as we planned only Talk like that anymore I was just talking I was just It was 1115 Maria had been gone 20 minutes when I heard Frank's ring at the door Good. I would keep him a half hour and by then the fire should have been discovered and someone would call me Hello Frank come in coming a good evening John. It's so nice of you to let me come so late Does the letter mention my mother? How is she getting along? Yes, and your brother and his wife all are well Come sit down here. I have quarter glass of wine for each of us. Thank you. Thank you Where is Maria sleep? No, she went out to visit friends. At least that's what she said you think I should suspect her perhaps Oh, no, no John Everyone knows how Maria feels about you. Yes, of course now about her a good girl, Maria But here you want the letter here. Here is this prime boy. Head read it. I'll pour some wine John a whole bottle of wine we put away. I'll never be able to sleep and it's nearly midnight Don't refoolish its wine not that ink you sell for coffee. You'll sleep. Well, I'm off Thanks for calling me about the letter don't go Frank. I don't get to see you often Your phone John answer it. I will find my way out. Well, all right Frank. It is nearly midnight Good night. Good night. Hello. Hello. Hello. Is there someone on the line? What is that? Who who is it? What did you call for? What happened? I don't understand if you were burned number to lock the door if you're in a bar the people that can't I see Maria do you hear me? I'm coming. I'm coming with the car. Where is the place? Yes, I know leave the place and wait for me behind the freight loading platform where it is dark I'll be there in 20 minutes. Don't talk to anyone. Don't let anyone see you too closely. You understand. Yes John Markoff. Yes, are you John Markoff? Yes, you operate a stationary store at 410 Wells Street Yes, that's my place. Why what happened? This is the police department. There's a fire there You better get right down fire in my place. How how bad is it? How did it start? What's burning? I don't know any answers like that yet, Mr. Markoff. I understand it's just striking out now And they haven't been in the place yet to look around you better get down there and help check Shall I get word to them that you're coming? Yes, of course right away. Mr. Markoff. Yes You've been home all night, Mr. Markoff Yes, why? Yes, yes, I will But which would I go to first? To Maria who sounded in such pain She might tell everything to the first person who found her or to this store where the fire people and perhaps the police Were waiting to talk to me. I wanted to go to the store, but I didn't dare. I didn't dare to leave Maria alone There's nearly a half hour after midnight when I drove up to the alley when I told it to wait Maria, Maria, yes, hurry Get in come on Right away, right away. Maria. How badly are you burned? Are you sure it's done? And Maria listen to me the police have called me about the store and they are waiting for me there. Do you understand the police? The police are waiting But you will take me to a doctor first. You will how can I Maria? I told them I would be right down I've lost time driving to pick you up first. It will look suspicious very suspicious if I'm delayed, but I must What do I do Maria? I must leave you someplace in the car and go the rest of way in a car I will get through with them as quickly as possible, and then I will be back for you To Maria don't you understand what it means you must promise that you will that you will stay in the car quietly until I call All right, all about how the fire got started a no, I would not sir and You were home with this friend from 1120 until nearly midnight. Yes, that's right I I was home with my friend Frank Laszlo. He owns that restaurant right on the corner there He always closes up by 11 and tonight he stopped in to read a letter I received them friends of ours in the old country. All right We will talk to mr. Laszlo In the meantime, mr. Markov, you better drop in at the fire marshal's office in the morning at 10 o'clock You mean that I know I don't mean anything Certainly anything I can do to help. I'll be there of course of course taken a half hour of it talking I Knew from their manner that they had found the kerosene or smelled it Then I was back at the car looking at Mario. She appeared unconscious, but when I started to drive away You were gone so long. I couldn't help it Maria. It wasn't pleasant. I you know now No, dr. John so he can do something for me. All right, all right How are you talking to me you frighten right and you what about me don't you think I am frightened what do you suppose will happen if I Take you to a doctor. He'll want to know everything and he will have to report Where name the place we're taking you won't be the same as going straight to the police Anybody No No, couldn't answer her. I was trapped now. I thought All I have to do is bring her in for help anywhere No doctor no hospital would treat her without reporting the case to police to take her home If the police caught me bringing Maria there if they found that she was burned and I was helping her For hours it seemed I drove that night wandering thinking trying frantically to find some solution While Maria stared straight ahead not speaking Sometimes she would cry Then it was quiet again slept I Wanted to get away from other cars from people I turned on to an old dirt road that laid along the river when I got to a dark spot I stopped Yes, I'm here Maria No There is no doctor. No, there is no doctor There's no hospital and there is not going to be any you got yourself into this You got me into it when you are found burned is prison for both of us John John, I said prison separate prisons on goodness anything to get away from you now Do you understand now? Let me hear you say John again once more before I go Once more, but let me touch you Let me just touch you. What are you doing? Get back take your hands away from my face I Got out of the car and away from her it must have been with her last string that she attacked me because she she fell back But then when I stopped to look back she was out of the car and standing on steadily on the ground I called but she didn't hear She turned and I saw that she was trying to reach the river edge She was weak Sucking under her weight But she kept on and made it almost At the very edge of the river she slumped to the ground in a kneeling position. I Started for her in sight of me. I felt only jelly Then as I stood there I saw she was doing something with her hands as if ringing them Then I realized she was taking off the ring the diamond ring She had said she would keep on as long as you live It must have slipped from her hand because she started pouring around in the dirt Then she got it turned and threw it at the car with all her strength But the effort to her own balance and she slowly fell backward Like an old doll into the water. He was gone Now I was out of it They wouldn't be able to touch me Auto light is bringing you mr. Cornell wild with Irene Teddrow in a ring for maria tonight's production and radio's outstanding theater of thrills Suspends Say Harlow, what are your plans for this start of a new year same as usual hap I always get the start of the year with an auto light stay full battery the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car Use but aren't you gonna welcome the year in why sure hap year in and year out There's nothing more welcome than the dependable starting power and extra convenience of the auto light stay full battery You'll be the life of the party Harlow hap my good man You can't beat the auto light stay full for longer life 70% longer life in fact has proven by tests conducted according to SAE minimum life cycle standard Aren't you gonna raise your champagne glass Harlow you mean fiber glass hap because every positive plate of an auto light Stay full battery is protected with a fiber glass retaining mat to reduce flaking and shedding and keep the power producing materials in place But Harlow everybody's going to to start the new year by having their neighborhood auto light battery dealer Install an auto light stay full the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use and remember You're always right with auto light and now auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage Mr. Cornell while in Elliott Lewis's production of a ring for Maria a Tale well calculated to keep you in Early in the morning I went to a police station I had decided it would look odd when Maria's body was found if I had not reported her absence They took her description and then how about jewelry. Did she have any she might be wearing only her wedding ring and earrings Gold earrings shipped like a hoop nothing else Nothing. All right, mr. Marker. We'll call you the moment we hear anything But I think she'll be walking in on you soon. That's our experience in these cases I breathed easier when I left the station I had almost told him of the diamond ring I didn't want to because I had failed to find it when I made a hurried search before leaving the river's edge But I knew the spot and when things quieted down I plan to go there in daylight and search again It was worth too much to let go Just now the only thing ahead of me was the visit to the fire marshals office at 10 o'clock But I wasn't worried about that let them ask their questions. I had an alibi. I was home when the fire started The only person who would implicate me in any way was there Yes, I had to admit things had turned out not bad not bad Yes, sir My name is John Markov. I'm to see the fire marshal this morning. Oh, yes, mr. Markov. Just a moment Mr. Markov is here Marshall Very well The marshal is coming out mr. Markov. Morning mr. Markov Had a lot to think about yes I've heard the fire and then this morning early you reported your wife missing didn't you? Yes, I was going to tell you about it, too I was already informed and I'm afraid I have what may be bad news for you mr. Markov The police think they found her Found her? How where very unusual? You reported hers alive only last night yet this morning a half hour ago Her body was found floating in the river the description tell us exactly Floating you mean you mean she was drowned maria. I don't mean anything of the kind Come along mr. Markov police are waiting for you to make positive identification at the morgue I didn't like the way the marshal talked or acted with me made me feel as if something had gone wrong But I told myself to stop worrying. They could know not especially if Mario was dead But what did he mean talking as if she wasn't drowned? I Was still thinking about this when we got to the undertakers two men were standing outside In order that the marshal and something told me they must be detectives Then one of them spoke to me you're mr. Markov. Yes I'm sergeant Holbrook with a homicide bureau of the police department mr. Markov We'd like to take a look through your car. Is it here? Why sure go ahead and let me have your keys You mind we might have to move the car one reason or another Yes, all right. Yes way mr. Markov for the identification Well, mr. Markov It's it's hair. It's maria But how what happened what happened was a tragedy mr. Markov But you see those marks on her body. Yes. Yes those marks are burns And there was a fire in your store last night, but I don't understand you you think Mario So can I talk to you for a moment? Oh, yes, I The mark of did you know your wife telephoned her aunt in Minneapolis last night and told her she was arriving for a visit? There this morning Did you or didn't you know that mr. Markov you're awfully slow answering very simple questions. No, no, no I did not know I see well anyway. She did mr. Markov You might like to know how we found out would you I yes You see when your wife wasn't on the morning train at 7 o'clock her aunt got worried and telephoned your house But got no answer. I was at the police station reporting Mario's absence, right at 9 30 your wife's aunt telephoned again But this time to your place of business Naturally, she was told the line was out of order Now she really was worried and that's how we found out about it. She telephoned the police. I talked to her Did you tell her about Mario? No, mr. Markov I knew her body had been found that answered the description of Mrs. Markov, but I wasn't sure yet I'm only sure now, but Mrs. Markov's aunt told me something else It seemed that your wife was very happy about a gift you gave her last night and naturally as women will She had to talk about it. She told her aunt You remember the gift. Oh Yes, yes, of course it slipped my mind in all this that has happened the ring you mean the diamond ring You mean that's right, mr. Markov. She was wearing that ring wasn't she when you last saw her. Yes Yes, I forgot she must have been wearing that right and she left the house before the fire naturally about 11 You're important and you never saw her after that until this morning here. No, I did not you're sure You're very sure of that. Yes. Yes, I'm sure then how is it mr. Markov that when we looked at your car just now We saw something that had been caught in the rainscarper that runs along the side of the body over the windows And this mr. Markov is what we found stuck in there along with some loose fine gravel this diamond ring What's all this the coroner's physician found no water in your wife's lungs She didn't drown in his opinion. She died from heart failure directly super induced by her pain and burns How did this terribly injured woman get to the river miles from the scene of the fire? The diamond ring tells us the answer She was taken there and thrown in thrown in by you who watched her die Even though you might have perhaps saved her life by getting medical aid for her I didn't throw her in she fell in I tell you she fell in it was an accident. Oh, mr. Markov We don't talk the same language in mine the death of your wife was murder Suspense presented by auto light tonight star mr. Cornell while Well, see you next year. Hello, okay happen in the meantime. Don't forget and don't forget what that auto light makes over 400 product for cars trucks planes and boats in 28 plants coast to coast These include complete electrical systems used as original factory equipment on many leading makes of America's finest cars Electric windshield wipers starting motors voltage regulators coils distributors wire and cable Generators so friends don't accept electrical parts supposed to be as good Ask for and insist on original factory part that your neighborhood service station car dealer garage or repair shop And because all auto light parts are original factory parts You can be sure you're right because you're always right with auto light next week on suspense mr. Mickey Rooney a star of alibi me and in weeks to come you will hear such famous stars as ginger Rodgers Eve Arden and etiopinza all appearing in tales well calculated to keep you in suspense Suspense is produced and directed by Elliott Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morrowake and conducted by Ludblust kid a Ring for Maria was written for suspense by Lewis Pollock Cornel Wild is next to be seen in the new RKO Technicolor production sons of the musketeers and Remember next week on suspense mr. Mickey Rooney in alibi me This is Harlow Wilcox again to wish each and every one of you on behalf of suspense and 96,000 auto light dealers from coast to coast a happy and prosperous new year. This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system