Read Golden Paradise (Vincente 1) for Free Online Page B

uncomfortable silence hung in the air and Valentina was worried about her parents. Where were they? Why had they entrusted her to a man she didn't know? Suddenly she felt the comfort and warmth of Salamar's hand on her shoulder. The reassuring touch seemed to be telling her, Don't worry, everything will be all right.
    With a sigh of relief, she turned to her maid and smiled at her. Then she turned her attention to her surroundings. She became fascinated by the sights and sounds around her. San Francisco was a ramshackle town, teeming with people from all walks of life. There were wooden buildings, many half finished. Canvas tents dotted the landscape, some of which had been turned into businesses. Large quantities of goods and wares were piled in front of buildings because there was no room to store them. The muddy streets were filled with masses of humanity hurrying about their daily lives. There were Chinese, Mexicans, Frenchmen, Spaniards, Russians and many other nationalities that Valentina did not recognize.
    There was a strange excitement about them, as if the very air they breathed was filled with gold dust. Valentina turned to Mr. Lawton, determined to find out about her mother and father. "I was wondering why my mother sent you instead of coming herself?" Valentina watched the man's face as she worked her fingers out of her gloves, then clutched them in her hand.
    "Your father and mother rented a cabin from me several months ago. Mrs. Barrett's been real sick. Mr. Barrett took off to the gold fields and left her alone. Me and my sister thought it only Christian for us to look after her until you arrived." His mouth thinned, and he turned watery eyes on Valentina. "Folks that come to this place seeking gold deserve what they get. It's the devil's work."
    Valentina's head was reeling. No, he couldn't be telling the truth. "My father would never desert my mother when she was ill, as you suggest." Valentina glared at the man, knowing she was on the verge of losing her temper.
    "I didn't mean to imply that your father deserted your mother. I believe she was supposed to join him when he had a suitable shelter built for her at his diggings."
    Valentina stared at the man, hardly breathing. She was almost afraid to ask the question that went round and round in her mind. "How ill is my mother?"
    "Could be worse; probably will be. She's got what they call the Panama fever. Must have got it coming overland through the jungle."
    Valentina gripped her hands together tightly. "What are you saying?"
    "Misery is born of misery. Your folks committed a great sin by coming to this land and trying to desecrate it. That's the folly of greed."
    Valentina felt her anger rise to its zenith. "How dare you say such a thing about my mother and father! My mother is a good woman, and my father is an honorable man. You have no right to criticize them. Take me to my mother at once."
    Percival Lawton's watery eyes moved over Valentina's face. "I have the right. I'm God's messenger, and he speaks through me. Your father paid the price for his sins; now it's your mother's turn to pay."
    Valentina's breathing seemed to have stopped for the moment. "Are you saying that my father is . . . ?" She clutched her gloves, twisting them tightly. "No, it isn't possible."
    Percival Lawton looked away from her. He was concentrating on guiding the mules past a wagon that was bogged down in the mud, blocking the road. "I'll not be the one to bring you ill tidings. When you see her, you must ask your mother to tell you about your father."
    Valentina clamped her teeth together and brought her anger under control, but she could not control the fear that nagged at her heart—fear that something dreadful had happened to her father. "I insist that you tell me where my father is," she demanded in a shaky voice.
    Mr. Lawton looked sideways at her. "Well, if you say so, but your mother wanted to be the one to tell you. She took ill right after your father left for the