The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-26
ATLANTA'S LOVE STORY.
THE WOUNDED COUPLE IN a FAIR
WAY TO RECOVER.

Both Stick to the Story Told in the
Note the Girl Wrote to Be Read
After They Died In Each Others
Arms-Honor Too Dear to Both to
Face the Disgrace of an Elopement.
ATLANTA, Ga, Jan. 25.-Mlss Salita
Muegge and Umberto Piautini, the prin-
cipals in the shooting at the Metropolitan
hotel last night, are both still living and
the chances are now in favor Of their re-
covery. Piantini has not been removed
from the Grady hospital, where he was
taken last night soon after the shooting,
and the young woman is comfortably at
tended at her fathers home on South Pryor
street. Both have been rational and able
10 converse at short intervals to-day, but
from neither could anything tending TO
throw new light on the peculiar tragedy
be gotten. Miss Muegge posi-
lively refuses to say word
about the affair even to members Of her
immediate family. Her only reference to
It was to ask as soon as she was conscious
this morning what had become Of her lover,
Umberto. The faithless husband himself
does not appear to be ayerss to talking
about the escapade and expressed desire
TO get well when told that the girl was in
fair way to recover. His statement to-day,
however, did not differ from the accounts
already given Of the shooting and Of the
cause which led to it.
UMBERTo's STORY.
He simply said when interviewed that be
loved the girl and that she loved him, but
bang a married man, they had decided that
IL was best to die rather than that she do
wrong or that be should fail in his duty to
his wife. They could see no other way out
of their unfortunate situation. When
asked why they did not take refuge in
flight. the young man simply said that
Salits was a good girl, and could not do
wrong. Not the least interesting feature Of
the story which will 60 on record here as
without q parallel in the observation
of the authorities is the fact
that before starting out from his home to
meet the girl at the fatal place, Piantini in a
most affectionate manner bade his wife
good-by, embracing her fondly with tears
In his eyes. The woman also took unusual
care with her toilet, putting Oh the best
she had, from bonnet TO boots, as
IL preparing for the altar or tomb. While
there are some circumstances that argue
against this theory, yet 1t is accepted
by the authorities that the two had
deliberately planned 70 die in each
others arms as they attempted, &C
cording to the statement OF Umberto
made to-day and continued in the note left
on the table yesterday before the shots that
were meant TO be fatal to both were fired.
HER FAMILY UNsUsPIcIoUs.
From what can be learned through the
family no suspicion of any attachment be-
tween young Piantini and his step-sister
had been traced and their friends as well
as the officers who have been IN charge OF
the case do not believe that there has ever
been any undue intimacy between the two
previous to the suspicious circumstances Of
their surroundings at the hotsl,
which adds still moro TO the
popularity of the case SO far
at least nothing. has developed to show a
reason for the desperate act OF the lovers
except an uncommonly high sense Of honor,
or morbid mental condition growing out
OF an unholy attachment.
The case has been so absorbing in it's in
terest here to-day, and so many rumors are
IN circulation regarding IL, that it is more
than likely that the police will remain in
charge until the mystery that seems to sur.
round the shooting is cleared up. especially
as 1t has been suggested that
the girl might have been betrayed
By her lover after being induced
20 60 to the hotel The young womans
mother believes that her daughter was
drngged, though the note written by her
hand apparently contradicts such theories
as these. Mics Muegge herself, as already
stated, declines to talk about the shooting.