"Ethan Frome" writer Wharton (5)
I believe the answer is:
edith
(Other definitions for edith that I've seen before include "- Cavell, nurse executed in 1915" , "- Cavell, WW 1 heroine" , "Dame - Sitwell, English poet (Facade)" , "girl" , "and 19 Across: 'Little Sparrow'" .)